About Us
In 1986 we opened our doors to the Walgett community. The Board of Directors moved a resolution to treat ALL people, and that has been the case since. Currently, 40% of our clients are non-Aboriginal.
How did the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) begin?
The first AMS was founded in Redfern in 1971 - not from Government handouts, but from donations from non-Aboriginal supporters of Aboriginal Rights. Judges, Ministers, Teachers and Church people formed the core of this support. Their actions came from their observations of the less than acceptable level of health services available to Aboriginal peoples.
The second AMS opened it's doors in 1972, and now there are more than 100 nation wide. Locally, the Aboriginal community of Walgett started lobbying for an AMS in the late 70's.
WAMS Background
The Aboriginal community of Walgett lobbied for an AMS in the late 70’s. Some of the issues they argued for an AMS was that women were giving birth on hospital verandahs, people being turned away because they were Aboriginal, and generally feeling uncomfortable about being treated in a very non-Aboriginal middle-class establishment when they themselves were only recognised as citizens of this nation in 1967.
In 1986 Walgett opened its doors to provide an AMS. The Board of Directors moved a resolution to treat all people in the community and that has been the case ever since. Our statistics show today that 40% of our clients are non-Aboriginal. While people may argue that we should only treat Aboriginal people I think we have shown all members of the community that we are here for everyone to help in any way we can.
Monies for WAMS come from a separate bucket of money for Aboriginal health despite the belief that AMSs take the money away from the mainstream health services. AMSs are an important part in the delivery of Primary Health Care and recognised as equal partners in delivery of Health by both the State and Federal Ministers for Health.
How can you help us?
WAMS is a non-profit organisation which relies on public support from individuals, community groups, corporations, trusts and foundations as well as government funding to continue to improve the health and well-being of our clients and the community.
There are countless ways that you can help WAMS.
The choice is yours.
WAMS Privacy Policy
This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our client, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.
Ideas to get you started
