About Us








Wuchopperen Health Service Limited was established in 1979 and began providing primary health care services in 1981.

The word Wuchopperen comes from the Wik Mungkan language (Western Cape York Peninsula area around the Aurukun region) loosely translated it means House/Place of Medicine – “Wuch” meaning house or place and Operrak – medicine (encompassing of both physical and spiritual).

Wuchopperen is a not for profit, membership-based, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) that delivers an integrated, holistic primary health care service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the greater Cairns region.

Wuchopperen has around 200 staff with roughly 60% identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

Our Vision

Improving Quality of Life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 

Our Governance 

Wuchopperen is governed by a 10-person Board of Directors elected annually by Wuchopperen members. The Board of Directors set the strategic direction for the organisation and guide the Management Team to ensure all strategic priorities are met and the organisation continues to work towards the achievement of its vision.

Directors must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Our Constitution 

Wuchopperen operates within a set of rules outlined in its constitution that complies with legislative and national accounting standards requirements set out by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. To review our Consitution go to Key Documents.

Privacy and Confidentiality

All Wuchopperen staff members are governed by strict laws regarding privacy and confidentiality. We keep all client personal and health information secure, private and confidential. We will not give this information to anyone else without permission, unless there is a threat to a client's life, wellbeing or safety, or unless the law says we must.

A client can access their own personal health information or authorise someone else to access the information by calling the Wuchopperen Health Information Officer on (07) 4080 1000.

Read Wuchopperen's Privacy Statement here.

Your Healthcare Rights

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes the rights of patients and other people using the Australian health system. These rights are essential to make sure that, wherever and whenever care is provided, it is of high quality and is safe.

The Charter recognises that people receiving care and people providing care all have important parts to play in achieving healthcare rights. The Charter allows patients, consumers, families, carers and services providing health care to share an understanding of the rights of people receiving health care.

This helps everyone to work together towards a safe and high quality health system. A genuine partnership between patients, consumers and providers is important so that everyone achieves the best possible outcomes.

Find out more at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.

Wuchopperen's Client's Rights Charter

Wuchopperen's Client's Rights Charter is a guide to the rights and responsibilities of our clients, families and carers.


Compliance 

Wuchopperen holds the following accreditations:

  • ISO9001:2015 standards

  • Child Safety Licensing with the Department of Child Safety Youth and Women

  • Human Services Quality Standards for Child Wellbeing and Family Wellbeing Services

  • RACGP 4th Edition Standards (Manoora Clinics)

  • RACGP 5th Edition Standards (Edmonton Clinics) 

Celebrating over 40 years

Wuchopperen celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. The short film below was made to mark this important milestone.


Key Documents 

To view and download our current Annual Report, Constitution and other important Wuchopperen documents go to Key Documents.