Department of Health Library Services ePublications - Historical Collection
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Northern Territory Department of Health Library Services Historical Collection
ENVIP1-0NMENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINING
PROG- RAMME in the
Northern Territory
A REPORT OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE EDUCATION AND
TRAINING TASK FORCE FROM
4/12/78 to 5/6179
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HISTORICAL COLLECTION
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ENV 1979 NORrHERN TERRITORY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
JUNE 1979
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iERRITORY HEAL TH SERVICES
ENVI:ooNMENTAL HF.ALTH IDRKER TRAINING PRcx;RAMME IN 'lHE NORI'HERN TERRI'IDRY
A REPOR:r OF THE IDRK CARRIED OUT BY THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TASK FORCE: 4 DECEMBER 1978 - 5 JUNE 1979
NORI'HERN TERRI'IDRY DEPARI'MENT OF HEALTH
JUNE 1979
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PREFACE
'There has been considerable discussion over the past two years on the need for the training of Aboriginal people in the field of hygiene. There have been two main views on this need :
to train a "s:p=cialised" group of Aboriginal health workers in the health inspection field
t.o extend a training progranme to those .Aboriginal people (usually Council employees) actually involved in hygiene services in carmunities.
In an endeavour to make some progress in this field the last meeting of the Regional Co-ordinat.ors Aboriginal Health Worker Training Prograrme resolved, as an initial step, t.o identify those Aboriginal people in the second category and to see what training needs there may be.
This has proceeded in the Southern Region with inservice courses new underway at the Regional Training Centre. It is understood similar prograrnnes are envisaged for the East Arnhem and Northern Regions.
These develoµnents were discussed within the D2partrcent and a Task Force was formed, to operate within the follcwing tenns of reference
define the job of an Aboriginal hygiene worker
develop a suitable structure for enploying authorities prepare curricula, students' and teachers' manuals explore suitable teaching resources, nodels, standard units, tutors, etc
look at the roles of other health staff in the prograrnre detennine suitable corrmunity support.
The Task Force to report in full by June 1979.
In the meantime the Regions will continue with the identification of hygiene workers and the undertaking of courses in the Regional
Training Centres.
Preface
Cllapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Intrcxluction
Q.)erating Principles Syllabus
Aims and Objectives
Assessment of the extent to 'Which objectives have
been met
Cbjective 1 Cbjective 2 Cbjective 3 Objective 4 Cbjective 5 Objective 6 Cbjective 7 Cbjective 8
Recrnmendations
1he rnanbers of the Task Force were Dr S Linea
Ms M Keller Mr A Ralston Mr E Lindfield Mr W Green Mr H Hunter Mr M Kelly
Mr E Gray-Spence Mr M Kullatinga Mr D Hill
(Co-ordinator)
Health Educator, Northern Region Regional Health Inspector
r:::eputy Director of Nursing
Acting Senior Education Advisor, Aboriginal Adult Education, I:epartment of Education Senior Health Inspector
Senior Health Inspector for special projects Senior Health Inspector
Health Inspector Secretary
Dr Linea withdrew £ran the Task Force towards the end of the period due to other corrmitments and Dr Soong assuned the co-ordinator role.
OIAPrER 1 INI'IDDUCTICN
The Environmental Health Workers Task Force was fanned on
4 December 1978 to review the enployment and training of hygiene workers in .Aboriginal cx:mntmities.
The operating principles adopted were
A time limited Task Force of seoonded officers to be established at divisional level.
The Task Force to preserve the principles of regionalization.
Regional and district accotmting to the Task Force to be the main rrethod of progress and developnent.
The role of existing Hygiene Workers to be defined and broadened as necessary to include all aspects of the enviromlental needs of Aboriginal cmmuni ties as far as possible.
The guidelines set out in the report of the Education and Training Task Force, June 19 77, to be followed where applicable.
With the help of other Departmental Officers and outside resources, the Task Force has caupleted its work.
Eight objectives were formulated. 'lhis report smmarizes the extent to which the cbjectives have been achieved.
A syllabus, including an outline of ho.v to teach was develor,ed.
'Ihis is divided into 8 broad areas, each representing a unit of teaching:
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4
Unit 5 Unit 6
Unit 7 Unit 8
People's ideas about health and sickness Water supply
Wastes in the carmuni ty Housing
Animals and insects Dangerous Sicknesses First Aid
Corrmunity education
'Ihe Task Force considered it essential that a literacy-numeracy programne should accompany each unit of the syllabus which is based on relevant sections of the Post Basic Skills Course, Aboriginal Health Worker Training Programre.
'Ihe Task Force considered that the Canadian publication
"A Sanitation Manual for Corrmunity Health Workers" - suitably adapted to NT conditions - should be used as a resource
book for both the Basic and Postbasic course. Adaptation of the material has been partially rompleted but further work is necessary. 'Ihe Task Force reromrends that work on this project should rontinue.
Since the a<XIuisition of practical skills for i.mrediate
application will be an important aim of the training programrre, it is very important that most of the training be conducted on site, where practicable. For example, a group of
Environmental Health Worker trainees from neighbouring corrmuni ties could meet for brief periods in one of the
Abxiginal carmuni ties and learn by doing. Visits to Regional Centres can be arranged for broademng experience and learning si;:ecial skills.
OfAPTER 2 A1MS AND OBJECTIV1'-S
1 To define the tasks and narenclature of people engaged on hygiene work in Aboriginal cammniti.es and to advise Councils on the numbers rea::ttnended for each location.
2 'lb carry out a survey of all Aboriginal hygiene workers in the NT.
3 To draw up a plan of training for all Environrrental Health Workers.
4 'Ib recomnend entry standards and enployment conditions, taking into consideration Aboriginal social requirerrents.
5 'Ib carrnunicate the principles of Environnental Health Worker training to those staff concerned with training and to a.11 Aboriginal ccmnunities.
6 To recamEnd to the Health Department an appropriate organization to provide for adequate implementation and oversight of the Training Prograrme.
7 'Ib ensure i;:olitical supi;:ort be given to all aspects of the Training Prograrrme.
8 To seek assistance from other ~partments and Agencies in providing co-ordination for the progranme.
CHAPI'ER 3 ASSESSMENT OF 'lliE EXTENT TO WHIQf OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN MET
OBIOCTIVE 1 'ID DEFINE 'IHE TASKS AND NaIBNCLATURE OF PEOPLE ENGAGED ON HYGIENE WORK IN ABORIGINAL CCM1UNITIES AND 'ID ADVISE O)UNCIIS ON 'IHE NUMBER:> RECOM-1ENDED FOR EACH LCCATION.
'llle Task Force attarpted to define the role of hygiene workers in Aboriginal corrmuni ties. It was ronsidered that ~ specific tasks (which may differ acro:rding to location and size of the Aboriginal carrnunities) generally fell into the following categories :
Waste disi;osal, including rubbish, garbage and excreta.
Water supply including maintenance work.
Identification of environmental hazards associated with housing, animals and pests.
Ccnmunity education.
'llle tenns "hygiene workers" or "boss of hygiene gang" seem to be generally used. No unarnini ty has been reached concerning the :rrost appropriate term to be used. Sane alternatives are
Municipal and Carmuni ty workers, Camruni ty Hygiene workers and Environmental Workers. For the purposes of this report, the Task Force decided to use the term Environmental Health Workers as being the most appropriate.
The Task Force recognizes that the rn.nnber of Environmental Health Workers needed in each location will depend on social and
environmental factors • Further ronsul tation with Aboriginal ccmnunities is necessary to establish the precise mrnbers needed for each location. However, on the basis of experience and because of the limited number of res:pJnses received frcrn the survey (refer Objective 2) the Task Force decided to reccmnend a minimum ratio of one Environmental Health Worker per hundred of PJpulation.
ffiJECTIVE 2 'ID CARRY OUT A SURVEY OF ALL ABORIGINAL HYGIENE WORKERS IN 'IBE NT.
A survey-~ questionnaire was sent to all Aboriginal
ccnmuni ties in the Nr. 'Ihe resp::mse rate was disapJ.X)inting.
It is therefore not J.X)Ssible to make any <Efinitive statanent at this stage on the canpetence of hygiene workers in the NT.
Fran the replies received and the experience of the hygiere workers training p:rogramrre in Alice Springs, it ap:i;ears that
interest in hygiene worker training is high.
'Ihe menbers of the Task Force feel that both assessment and training of Environmental Health Workers should be carried out on a regular basis without further delay.
CBJEX:TIVE 3 'ID DRAW UP A PIAN OF TRAININ3 FOR ALL ENVIOONMENTAL HEAIIIH WORKERS.
'Ihe Task Force reviewed the trends of training of hygiene workers in Australia and overseas. A plan for training Envirormental Health Workers was developed canprising the follaving aspects:
The course to consist of two levels: a Basic Skills Hygiene Course and a Pos tbasic Skills Hygiene Course. 'Ihe Basic Skills Course aims at providing practical skills to
Envirorm2I1tal Heal th Ybrkers who will be, or are working in sma.11 and large conmunities.
'Ihe Basic Skills Course will cover the follaving topics 1 WATER :
Able to recognize the sources of water p:,llution.
Able to maintain or repair simple plunbing equipnent.
2 WASTES :
Able to understand the imµ::>rtance of proper faeces disposal.
Able to build and maintain simple faeces disµ::>sal methods : pit, pan, septic tank.
GARBAGE, REFUSE AND LIQUID WAS'IES
Able to construct simple methods of garbage, refuse and liquid wastes disposal.
3 GENERAL :
Awareness of relationship between environment and health.
Appreciation of the educational role of Environmental Health Workers.
4 Able to carry out basic First Aid relevant to the job.
The Postbasic Skills Course is aimed at those who are working in larger carmunities and who wish to upgrade their skills.
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Topics covered will be the same as for the Basic Skills, except that these and associated topics will be dealt with in greater breadth and depth.
OBJOCTIVE 4 'ID RECD.MMEND ENTRY STANDARDS AND EMPLOYMENT CCNDITIONS, TAKING INTO CONSIDEFA'I'ION
ABORIGINAL SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS.
'Ihe Task Force does not consider that it is necessary to recmmend minimun entry standards. However, it is essential that trainees should have the SupfX)rt of their respective oouncils or carmunity leaders, and in this respect the same selection procedures to be follcwed as apply to Aboriginal Health Worker Training.
Further consultations with Aboriginal cam1unities are necessary to detennine the rea:xrmended salary levels of Environmental Health Workers, in general, and those who canplete the basic and postbasic skills course. As rrost, if not all Area
Environrrental Health Workers are Council errployees, the Task Force considers that the existing situation should continue.
'Ihe need for Area Environnental Health Workers who are not Council errployees should be further explored.
Where trainees who are not Council employees are naninated for training, the follcwing alternatives are available:
(a) The Council to employ the trainees at the start of the training.
(b) Providing employment opportunities are available at the oornpletion of training, Environmental Health Workers be trained under the NEAT scheme.
( c) In the case of sma.11 oorrmuni ties, without a fonnal Council structure, funding for the employment of Environmental Health Workers might be a Local Government responsibility.
~ I V E 5 'ID ffi™lJNICATE 'IHE PRINCIPLES OF ENVIROOMENrAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINING 'ID THOSE STAFF
OJNCERNED WI'IH TRAINING AND TO ALL ABORIGINAL CCMMUNITIE.5.
'Ihe Task Force considered that carmunication to staff rrembers concerned with training is essential for the success of the training prograrrrre once the training policy has been adopted by the ~partment.
Carmunication with Aboriginal carmunities can be achieved through face to face contact between health personnel and Aboriginal people as well as the distribution of easy-to-read pamphlets or bcx:>klets.
rrhe Task Force considered that those resp:>nsible for the oversight of Environmental Health Workers training should have sare understanding of the problems of cross cultural carrnunication with adults.
It is essential therefore that in-service training courses be provided for those resp)nsible for the education of
Envirormental Health Workers.
OBJECTIVE 6 TO RECOr.iMEND 'ID 'IHE H~TH DEPAR'IMENT AN APPOOPRIATE ORGANIZATION 'ID POOVIDE FOR ADEQUATE IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT OF
'!HE TRAINING PRJGRAMME.
0073'
At present, the critical shortage of health inspectors working in rural areas would harrper further expansion of the training progranme. Steps need to be taken to remedy this. Three reccmrendations are made by the Task Force:
( a) 'Iha t advertising for Heal th Inspectors (Rural) should emphasize their training role and that an appropriate salary be offered to those with the required
qualifications.
(b) That the regional training prograrrme for Envirorurental Heal th Workers be the resp:msibili ty of the Senior Health Inspector (Rural) who will liaise closely with the Regional Co-ordinators of the Aboriginal Health Workers Training ProgrannE.
(c) At the Central Office, a small policy and support group consisting of a number of appropriate officers be
fanned when this Task Force is ended.
OBJECTIVE 7 'ID ENSURE POLITICAL SUPPORT BE GIVEN 'ID ALL ASPECTS OF 'IHE TRAINING PRCGRAMME.
'When the training policy is adopted by the Departrrent, it will be necessary to mobilize political supp::>rt for the programrre at all levels.
OBJECTIVE 8 'IO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM O'IHER DEPARIMENTS AND AGENCIES IN PIDVIDING CD--ORDINATION FOR
'IHE PR.CGJW.t.1E.
Because of limited resources currently available throughout the NT for the education of adults, the Task Force considers that it is essential to seek assistance fran other Lepartments and Agencies in providing co-ordination and implementation of the programre:
Lepartrrent of Education,
Aboriginal Adult Education Section Institute for Ab:)riginal D:velopnent
D2partrrent of Aboriginal Affairs )
Literacy and Numeracy Prograrme.
) Gereral co-ordination D:partment of Einployment and Youth Affairs) and funding for s:p=cial
) sanitation projects.
Nr Departrrent of Carrnunity Developrent )
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Mission Organizations
Carrnunity Colleges
NT Department of Transport and vorks
General co-ordination.
Co-ordination in s:p=cific carrnunities.
Training Resources.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1 That Departmental staff of the Health F.ducation Branch be assigned to undertake responsibility for the
continuing adaptation of all resource materials and for the developnent of additional materials to support those involved in the training of Envirornnental Health Workers.
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2 That the ~partment provide or make provision for in-service training courses in cross cultural teaching for those responsible for the education of Enviromental Health Workers.
3 That efforts be made by those involved in the training of Envirornnental Health Workers to ensure that trainees have the support of their respective councils and/or ccmnunity leaders. In this respect the sane procedures to be
follavved regarding selection of trainees as apply to the Aboriginal Heal th Worker Training Programre. Both 'WC1ren and men should be enoouraged to undertake training.
4 'Ihat Aboriginal oomnunities be requested to provide protective clothing and other materials to enable Environmental Health Workers to carry out their tasks safely and effectively.
A list of such materials should be canpiled in the light of further e~rience.
5 'Ihat existing oondi lions for the employment of Envirorrnental Health Workers should oontinue.
This recamendation will need to be reviewed from time to time.
6 'Ihat steps be taken by the ~partrnent to remedy the critical shortage of health inspectors working in rural areas to enable further expansion of the training prograrrme to take place.
7 That the regional training prograrrme for Environrrental Health Workers be the responsibility of the Senior Health Inspector
(Rural) who will closely liaise with the Regional Co-ordinators of the Aboriginal Health Worker Training Prograrrme.
8 At the Central Office a small policy and support group consisting of a number of appropriate officers including regional representatives be fonned when the work of this Task Force is completed.
9 That the Department of Health needs p:::,litical supp:)rt for the programrre at all levels.
10 'Ihat the Health Department seeks assistance from other Departments and Agencies throughout the Nr in providing en-ordination of the progranrne in view of the limited resources currently available for the education and training of adults.
11 'Ihat a Deparbrental Policy Statement on Enviro:rnental Health Worker Training be issued.
12 'Ihat the Depart::rrent advise the Minister for Health that it might be appropriate for the Minister for Local Cbverrnnent to assune resp:)nsibility for funding the E:rrployrrent of Environrrental Heal th Workers in small cxmnunities without a fonnal Council structure.
13 That the Departlrent shall set target dates for the implementation of the training prograrme.
14 That advertising for Health Insf€ctor (Rural) should emphasize their training role and that an appropriate
salary be offered to those with the required qualifications.
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