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| Program: Regional Planning |
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Advocacy and Regional Planning is promoting Regional Planning Forums, community interests and advocacy where emergency situations arise,
practical measures to address major gaps in primary health service delivery to Aboriginal people and issues related to cross-border health service provision in the "tri-state" region. Regional Aboriginal Health Profiles The Regional Aboriginal Health Profiles for the Pilbara, Murchison-Midwest-Gascoyne, Metropolitan, Southern and Wheatbelt areas were developed between January 2008 and March 2008, with funding from OXFAM Australia. The data and majority of text were sourced from: Regional Aboriginal Health Profile, (produced by the Epidemiology Branch, Analysis and Performance Reporting, Department of Health, March 2006); and Secure Aboriginal Medical Service Information Service (SAMSIS), AHCWA ICT/Information Project, January 2008. AHCWA makes the Regional Aboriginal Health Profiles available to member organisations in all regions, mainly to assist them: in their discussions about the priority needs for improving Aboriginal health inputs and outcomes in their region. in their planning discussions about what needs to be done to improve Aboriginal health outcomes and negotiating better service coordination arrangements with mainstream and private sector health providers, as well as with government agencies whose decisions impact on the health inputs and outcomes of Aboriginal people in their region. to assist member organisations to advocate more effectively for additional resources to help them improve Aboriginal health inputs and outcomes. Aboriginal Health Regional Planning Forums The Regional Development Officer is funded to travel to, prepare for, participate in, and support member Aboriginal Medical services in all Aboriginal Health Regional Planning Forums. This officer has attended and worked to support member AMSs in the Metropolitan, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Pilbara and the Midwest/Murchison/Gascoyne forums. In line with the wishes of AMS members, funding is being sought for each forum’s secretariat services to be funded and centred within AHCWA. This will ensure the functions, actions and follow up from forums are more strategic. Cross Border Regional Planning AHCWA’s Regional Development Officer attended and participated in the Northern Territory/Western Australia/South Australia tri-state cross border ‘Shared Responsibilities Meeting’ in September 2008. Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) face a variety of cross border issues in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Murchison-Midwest-Gascoyne and Goldfields-Central Desert Lands, which were discussed at the meeting. Outcomes included gaining commitment by peak bodies of each state and territory to continue dialogue, communication and shared planning for improved Aboriginal health outcomes and equality. AHCWA and its Regional Development Officer will assist in lobbying, advocacy and strategic planning activities that will address equality for cross border regions, in areas such as: Patient Assisted Transport Schemes (PATS), public health programs, Aboriginal Health Investment Plans (including Northern Territory matched funding formulas), and more easily shared electronic medical record systems. Peel Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service The Waangkininy Health in Peel (WHIP) was auspiced for the first time by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS), with assistance from AHCWA’s Regional Development Officer, received funding and contracts to extend and auspice the Primary Health Care funding for the Peel Aboriginal community. WHIP will undertake incorporation and community development planning work with assistance from AHCWA and the Regional Development Officer. AHCWA is also working to secure more funding for the Peel, Rockingham and Kwinana Aboriginal Communities to complete funding for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Medical and Social and Emotional Wellbeing Health Service. Critical issue for Narrogin Aboriginal Community Reference Group With the Narrogin Aboriginal Community in the midst of a suicide crisis which started in early 2008, AHCWA and the Regional Development Officer have focused on giving a voice to the Narrogin Aboriginal Community Reference Group (NACRG). This group is working hard to gain culturally appropriate responses to the crisis. The crisis has attracted the involvement of several newspaper, radio and television outlets, and has seen State and Federal Parliamentary discussions take place. OXFAM has agreed to fund a proposal where Darrell Henry Aboriginal Psychologist works in the town for one week a month, as well as two Community Support Counselors to work along side Darrell Henry. The OXFAM funds were auspiced by KEEDAC, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation based in Narrogin. In addition, the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing awarded the Narrogin Aboriginal Community $230,000 to provide culturally appropriate Mental Health services. This was auspiced by a number of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations. AHCWA and the Regional Development Officer are working through media, advocacy, lobby and strategic planning for the NACRG to receive funding for a complete Aboriginal Community Controlled Medical, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Service. The comment section is restricted to members only. |
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