Delivering essential health services in regional and remote communities

Serco’s Regional and Remote Health service was established during the pandemic to support governments across Australia with surge staff in hospitals and assistance delivering vaccine programs and other clinical services.

Our experienced Registered Nurses have worked throughout the Northern Territory, Tiwi Islands and in regional and remote areas of Western Australia in Emergency Departments; Intensive Care, Mental Health and Renal Dialysis units; Operating Theatres and aged care facilities, and rolled out vaccine programs to vulnerable communities.  

Working in critical locations such as Broome, Derby, Halls Creek, Kununurra and Wyndham has given our nurses from across Australia unique opportunities to further develop their clinical skills in critical locations where there is a high prevalence of complex clinical need.

Our staffing model offers nurses from other states the opportunity to work with Indigenous communities and further develop their skills in a remote environment where everyone needs to be hands on.

Serco Registered Nurse, Rebecca, spent four months at Halls Creek Hospital in WA earlier this year, working in the Emergency Department and general nursing. But it was her immersion in the local Indigenous community that left the biggest impact on Rebecca.  

“I have learned so much during my placement in Halls Creek, from managing different clinical presentations to experiencing cultural practices, such as the way that a death in the community is handled,” Rebecca said.

“I have become an integral part of the community and I have gained the trust of some elders. I was given the skin name of Ngaliganyi meaning ‘daughter’, by one of the Aunties. I was privileged to learn about bush medicine and walk around Gooniyandi country identifying various plants and how they are used in traditions.

“On welcome to country, I rubbed a small rock under my arm pit and threw it into the creek to let the rainbow serpent know I was there. I was told that I would be protected anywhere I went on Gooniyandi county.

“We visited a birthing cave which was a place used by Gooniyandi women in traditional times. The coolness of the cave with an overhang shading the clear water and inner chamber with a flat floor provided the perfect natural environment for childbirth”

“I am proud to be part of the indigenous culture and I’m humbled that this community accepted me as one of their own. I will definitely come back.”