Aboriginal News
National Peak Aboriginal Health Body Elects Chair
15-11-2011
Mr Justin Mohamed has been re-elected Chair for a three year term of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the national peak body for over 150 Aboriginal community controlled medical services across Australia.
Over two hundred delegates from community controlled Aboriginal health services across urban, regional and remote Australia are attending the NACCHO AGM. It is the largest annual gathering of Aboriginal people involved in community health.
This year’s meeting is in Sydney in recognition of the 40 anniversary of the founding of the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Redfern in 1971. This morning delegates paid tribute to the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern and the inspiration and support it lent to the community based services that followed over the last 40 years.
Mr Mohamed said, “Redfern was the spark that began the movement of Aboriginal communities creating and running their own health services providing comprehensive primary health care. In forty years we have grown from one Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service to over 150 services run by communities. Our services across the country are the solution to closing the gap in Aboriginal health.
“We carry the torch for other Aboriginal communities who want their own health services and to set their own priorities according to their community’s needs. Aboriginal people taking control of their health at all levels is the most effective way to overcome the barriers to better health.” Mr Mohamed said.
Mr Mohamed welcomed the newly elected Deputy Chair of NACCHO Mr Matthew Cooke (25). He is the Deputy Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and CEO of the Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Organisation Inc in Gladstone. Mr Cooke was elected to the NACCHO Board in 2010. In 2008 he was named the Deadly Vibe Young Australian of the Year award and in 2007 he was named Young Leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.
Mr Mohamed also thanked the out going Deputy Chair of NACCHO Ms Glenda Humes for her support in the role over the last two years.
The three day NACCHO Annual General and Members Meeting continues on Wednesday and Thursday.
Members will set directions for the future of the sector in discussions covering core primary health services, quality improvement, the Congress of the First Australians and Aboriginal health in the national health reform agenda. Other sessions will look at Medicare Locals, men’s and women’s health, and the eye health program.
On Thursday night delegates will attend the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern’s 40 th anniversary celebrations at the Sydney Town Hall.
NACCHO Media Contact: Chris Hallett 04 0770 4788
Diverting Indigenous youth from the criminal justice system through rugby league
From the Attorney Generals Department
11 August 2011
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced $370,000 has been provided to the Clontarf Foundation to help scope the development of eight rugby league academies to support Indigenous youth in Western New South Wales.
“I am very pleased to announce this funding. The Clontarf Foundation will make use of Indigenous youths’ passion for rugby league to engage them in school, provide full-time mentoring, support their education and promote health, as well as encourage and assist them to follow positive employment pathways,” Mr McClelland said during his visit to Walgett to attend the Ricky Walford Shield rugby league competition.
“I also want to congratulate the Australian Rugby League and NSW Rugby League for their support for this great initiative”.
Australia Rugby League CEO Geoff Carr, who also attended the Ricky Walford Shield, said that the Clontarf Foundation’s proposal was a great opportunity for Australian Rugby League to engage with local communities.
Walgett is one of the 29 priority communities identified under the Australian Government’s Remote Service Delivery Strategy.
“The evidence indicates that Indigenous Australians who experience low education and high unemployment are linked with higher arrest rates and imprisonment rates. (more…)
Careers in Aboriginal health to help Close the Gap
Media Release
28-7-2011
“Now is a great time for Aboriginal school students and others to think about a career in Aboriginal health” says Mr Justin Mohamed, Chair of NACCHO*.
“The Health Heroes campaign launched by Minister Warren Snowdon this week is supported by an extensive and easy to use website* about careers in Aboriginal health”, Mr Mohamed said.
“It includes profiles of Aboriginal role models working in Aboriginal health, describes the range of careers available and how to get a job and qualifications.
“It will also be backed up by resources and school visits targeting Aboriginal students, encouraging them to think of a career in Aboriginal health.
“Over 150 Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Services across Australia represented by NACCHO are especially interested in supporting Aboriginal people to have a career in our services.
“Our services are the largest employer of Aboriginal people in Australia yet there are still many unfilled positions. We need more of all the health professions including Aboriginal health workers, nurses, doctors, administrative staff, allied health workers, dental assistants, and dieticians. There are just some of the jobs profiled on the website.
“Having more Aboriginal people working in our services providing culturally appropriate care encourages more of our community members to seek the health care they need. This improves their quality of life and helps to close the gap in health outcomes.
“Our services are also a great place to work with a great community spirit and a shared common goal. Getting an education and qualifications in health leads to a good job, pride in yourself, and a better future for you, your family and our community.
“I’d encourage everyone to have a look at the website and to send on the link, especially to young people wondering what their options are.
A lot of Aboriginal kids don’t know or think, it’s achievable to have a career in health, this campaign begins to dispel this myth”, Mr Mohamed said.
The Health Heroes commercials will run in Aboriginal media outlets but would also be effective if aired on mainstream media where they will also reach the target Aboriginal audience. Reaching and motivating a larger target audience could help to address education and employment disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal Peoples.
* National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
** http://www.healthheroes.health.gov.au/
NACCHO Media Contact: Chris Hallett 04 0770 4788
Long Live the Live Longer – Aboriginal Community Health Campaign
NACCHO Media Release
Aboriginal communities are encouraged to use their local knowledge of what will work to promote healthy living in the new Live Longer* community health campaign says Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Mr Justin Mohamed.
Closing the Gap in Oral Health @ CSU
As she prepares for her final undergraduate year at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Ms Stacey Webb is broadening her knowledge of how her studies in oral health will help to close the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene) student recently completed a western NSW road trip to get an overview of the work of local Aboriginal Medical Services. She visited Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) in Wellington, Orange, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke….
Caravan brings health care to remote NSW communities
Family Centred Primary Health Care, Walgett AMS, NSW.
For many Aboriginal people in the outback town of Walgett and outlying rural communities in the far north west of New South Wales, accessing health care facilities is not an easy task.
Since 2008, a remote outreach program provided by the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Limited (WAMS) – the Family Centred Primary Health Care (FCPHC) – has made life easier for people in the region who are unable to travel to Walgett for medical attention.
The program is specifically targeted to the Aboriginal people of Walgett and its outlying rural communities. Patients can access quality and culturally appropriate primary healthcare in a comfortable environment.
Regional communities within the Brewarrina, Bourke and Walgett Shires are now serviced by mobile medical staff who travel in a medically-equipped van. A caravan was purchased by WAMS and converted into a portable medical clinic to service these remote communities.
The mobile team provides weekly clinics at Goodooga, Pilliga, Gingie and Namoi Village, working closely with area health staff in these towns. Planning is underway to begin in other townships.
Medical staff travelling to these remote communities take health care professionals with them to treat people who can’t make it to the medical service in Walgett.
WAMS successfully applied for funding from the Department of Health and Ageing in 2008 to establish the outreach program. The scoping process reviewed what medical attention was needed, demographics of the towns and existing health care providers in these communities.
The program’s main objectives are to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to provide quality primary health care access to people in outlying communities. It promotes a holistic approach to treating the whole family, from the kids to the grandparents.
WAMS promotes the FCPHC program on its website, flyers, local radio and information packs and leaflets at community events. It delivers the program in partnership with the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) and the Outback Division of General Practice.
Results have shown it is effective in reducing chronic illness factors, due to the visiting clinicians. Without this service many people would not know how to prevent or manage their chronic illness.
Find out more:
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Limited
37 Pitt Street
Walgett NSW 2832
Phone: (03) 6828 1059 or (03) 6828 1611
Email: skye.duncan@walgettams.com.au
Website: http://www.walgettams.com.au/services/fcphc/what-is-fcphc.html
Aboriginal Health Colledge – BiAnnual Student Newsletter – Education Matters – 11/2011
This is the first Aboriginal Health College Newsletter
Download Newsletter (PDF)
Aboriginal Health Workers tackle Chronic Ear Disease @ Sydney Symposium – NACCHO Media Release
A major campaign to tackle chronic ear disease in Aboriginal communities will see Aboriginal Health Workers from across the country meet in Sydney from 19 to 21 October.
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is convening the three-day Symposium to coincide with a nationwide rollout of new hearing testing equipment in health services.
Aboriginal Health Workers tackle Chronic Ear Disease @ Sydney Symposium – NACCHO Media Release (PDF)
The Best Return on (Re)Reshuffled Aboriginal Health – NACCHO Media Release
“Having another advocate for Aboriginal health in the government with the reappointment of Warren Snowdon as Indigenous Health Minister should help to maintain the drive to improve our people’s health and services” says Mr Justin Mohamed, Chair of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the peak body in Aboriginal health.
“Mr Snowdon is well respected within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across the nation and we look forward to again working with him.
The Best Return on (Re)Reshuffled Aboriginal Health – NACCHO Media Release (PDF)
Reshuffle should benefit Aboriginal health – NACCHO Media Release
“The opportunity to deal directly again with a cabinet minister, Health Minister Nicola Roxon, about the priorities in Aboriginal health should be a welcome result of Prime Minister Gillard’s reshuffle” says Mr Justin Mohamed, Chair of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the peak body in Aboriginal health.
“We thank former Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon for his efforts over the last 15 months as the first, and perhaps last, Minister for Indigenous Health.
Reshuffle should benefit Aboriginal health – Media Release (PDF)
