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 180 staff with roughly 65% identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Keeping Our Generations Growing Strong.
Wuchopperen is governed by a minimum of 6 and maximum of 9 person Board of Directors elected 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 improving quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Directors must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Wuchopperen is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, incorporated under the Companies Act. Its constitution governs the way the Company operates. Wuchopperen reports to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
To review our Constitution go to Key Documents.
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.
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 is a guide to the rights and responsibilities of our clients, families and carers.
Wuchopperen hold accreditation and operate in compliance with the following:
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners – RACGP 5th Edition Standards
International Standardisation Organisation – ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System
Human Services Quality Standards
National Standards for Mental Health Services
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) GP Training Practice
Child Safety Licensing – Foster and Kinship Care service, Child Protection Act 1999
Wuchopperen celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. The short film below was made to mark this important milestone.
To view and download our current Annual Report, Constitution and other important Wuchopperen documents go to Key Documents.
Wuchopperen acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging, the holders of our culture, memories, tradition and hopes.
Wuchopperen acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging, the holders of our culture, memories, tradition and hopes.