Above: FPW Julie Thardim and NHV Alison Kay yarns with a young prospective client during a picnic lunch

The Top End Health Service ANFPP Wadeye team recently drove to the Palumpa community for the day to see a client for the first time – in a trial that could lead to potentially regular monthly ANFPP visits.

This story provides a glimpse of how TEHS ANFPP, through continuous reflection, is able to address ways to meet the evolving needs of clients, including supporting them to meet their ‘heart’s desire’ and autonomy. 

Allowing the ANFPP team the flexibility to travel between the two communities aims to address and minimise ANFPP client disengagement due to families frequent transitioning between communities.

Palumpa (population 343) is a 50-minute drive on unsealed road from Wadeye, the 6th most populous town and the largest Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, with a population of 2280. 

The team visited Pulumpa after they graciously got permission from one of the Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Health Practitioners and approval by the District Manager and Nurse Supervisor. 

Due to the recent community mood, Wadeye clients have been travelling to Palumpa and other neighbouring communities for a break and to connect with other family members. Community members’ travel in the past has been fluid between the local outstations and two neighbouring communities. 

From time to time, ANFPP clients miss out on regular program delivery due to being located in the neighbouring communities that are between one and two hours away.

During the visit, the ANFPP Nurses, Alison Kay and Marianne Haverkort and Family Partnership Worker, Julie Thardim were able to link in with the Remote Midwife, the local Strong Women Worker, the Clinic Manager and staff. This resulted in strengthening the relationship between ANFPP and the local Health services, supporting future referral pathways for ANFPP families.

Over a picnic lunch, ANFPP was able to introduce the program and discuss the strengths and opportunities our program offers to a prospective client. Although shy, the pregnant mother was interested to learn about her growing baby, and see a model of the foetus inside her amazing uterus. 

The meeting was enhanced by yarning in language on how to nurture and care for her first baby and the benefits of receiving support on birth and mothering. The merits of the program include how clients can be assisted to grow into strong and capable women.

The team also enjoyed a tour of the community and background from FPW Julie Thardim on the history of the community over the past three decades and an explanation of the language groupings.

On the return trip, while Julie discussed all the bush tucker that was or soon would be available in the area, she noticed some green plums temptingly close to the road. The team stopped the ANFPP Prado, tasted the delights of the plums and gathered some for the return trip. A perfect opportunity for hands-on experience to end a successful day!