Closing the Gap Funding - Improving Indigenous Access to Mainstream Primary Care Program
In November 2008 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) committed up to a $1.6 billion over four years to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.As part of this investment the Australian Government is investing $805.5 million over 4 years (2009-2013) to tackle chronic disease among Indigenous Australians.
The Three main elements of the Indigenous Chronic disease package are
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Tackling Chronic Disease risk factors
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Improve Chronic Disease management and Follow Up care
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Workforce expansion and support
Why is Closing the Gap a Priority?
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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population
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Have a life expectancy approximatley 17 years less than Non Aboriginal Australians
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Experience a burden of disease two and a half times that of other Australians
A large burden of the disease is due to chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and chronic kidney disease. This burden can be reduced by earlier identification and management of risk factors and the disease itself.
What is GP down south doing to Assist Aboriginal Health?
Improving Indigenous health outcomes is important to GP down south. The Division can assist general practice in pursuing culturally sensitive ways in promoting disease prevention, early identification and intervention in chronic disease and by utilising improved information management systems to achieve best practice management strategies.
GP down south can also assist local general practices by; providing ATSI health check templates to conduct Medicare health checks
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Helping with measures to reduce barriers for ATSI clients accessing mainstream services
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Providing ATSI Health promotional materials for your practice waiting rooms
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Helping with ways of recording the ATSI status of your patients to meet accreditation requirements
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Developing electronic health care plans and lifestyle action plans that encompass the many health issues facing Indigenous people.
With a life expectancy difference of 17 years between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people it has become a focus of the Australian Government to “Close the Gap” and bring health equality to all Australians. Improving Indigenous health outcomes is important to GP down south.
The Division can assist general practice in pursuing culturally sensitive ways in promoting disease prevention, early identification and intervention in chronic disease and by utilising improved information management systems to achieve best practice management strategies.
See the Resource Links below for direct links to the Department of Health and Aging for Healthy for Life, Lifescripts and OATSIH Health Programs such as;
Our current services include the following programs
Peel Region
Nidjalla Waangan Mia ( Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Centre - Mandurah)
GP down south has been contracted by the WA Department of Health to manage services being run through Nidjalla Waangan Mia. The Centre was officially opened 9 July 2010 by local Noongar Elders, Ivy Bennell and Harry Nannup, in the presence of the Minister for Health and Indigenous Affairs, Dr Kim Hames.
For more detailed information visit, The Nidjalla Waangan Mia team that comprises a Practice Manager, Practice Nurse, Aboriginal Health Worker, Dentist, Dental Assistant and two Aboriginal Receptionists. GP down south also contracts GP services from Murray Medical Centre. GP services are provided on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Dental services occur each Tuesday, offering check ups, cleaning, extractions and fillings.
A Sexual Health Nurse is employed through the B2 Clinic in Fremantle and is available for consultations on Wednesdays, and offers education, screening and counselling. We are in the process of negotiating with South Metropolitian Area Health Service to add a Podiatrist, Diabetes Educator, Maternal Health Aboriginal Health Worker and Maternal Health Granny positions to the range of services provided through Nidjalla Waangan Mia.
We are also investigating opportunities to prived a mental health and counselling service through the Centre. In another exciting turn of events, GP down south is currently working with the local Aboriginal community, and Winjan Aboriginal Corporation, to implement and reinstate the Waangkininy Health in Peel programwith fundingfrom the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. Community outreach, health promotion, transport and linkages to complement the services being provided through Nidjalla Waangan Mia. 'Nidjalla Waangan Mia' is the namje chosen by the local Noongar community for the new Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Centre in Mandurah. the name literally means 'here is the place for health'.
We look forward to the future and to being able to contribute to Closing the Gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
George Walley - Aboriginal Health Program Manager, Nidjalla Waangan Mia, manager@nidjallawm.com.au & Janet West - Program Manager, GP down south Mandurah, janetwest@gpdownsouth.com.au
South West Region
MaCAHS (Manjimup and Collie Aboriginal Health Service)
MaCAHS work with the local Aboriginal community in both Manjimup, Collie and the AHWS encourage the local people to access mainstream service providers. The team works closely with the local GPs and Allied Health Professionals to assist in the follow up care for community members.
Indigenous Health Links
Indigenous Access Program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Line
This is a free-call telephone service to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers and health workers. The access line is supported by the Medicare Liaison Officers for Indigenous Access who are culturally aware of the special conditions that may affect Indigenous people.
Call - 1800 556 955
This program provides support to Indigenous communites, Aboriginal Medical Services and other health service providers nationally via a Medicare Liaison Officer for Indigenous Access with a diverse range of culturally appropriate skills and expertise.
Nurse placement program Information
Nurses in the South West are invited to spend a day in an Aboriginal Medical Service expression of interest form