This COVID-19 Response Review bears witness to the remarkable strength of Aboriginal communities, and of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector (ACCHS).

The ingenuity, agility, and dedication of the WA ACCHS during unprecedented times, as they adapted swiftly to provide safe, accessible healthcare in the midst of a pandemic emergency, was nothing short of exceptional.

We are immensely grateful to our Member Services for the tremendous work done in keeping our people safe; and to AHCWA’s Medical Advisor Dr Marianne Wood for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic—and in the writing of this important Review.

The development of this comprehensive Review was conceived by AHCWA, and supported by Chief Executives from ACCHS across WA. The work catalogues the experience of these ACCHS throughout the pandemic, offering compelling analysis of our State’s pandemic plans as they relate to the specific needs of Aboriginal people. The Review presents unequivocal evidence for the urgent need for plans that support local solutions, which are culturally appropriate and helpfully consider the needs of Aboriginal people across WA.

It highlights how ACCHS assistance to Government was vital to the success of the pandemic response, and presents the case for meaningfully valuing ACCHS expertise and knowledge to support the communities they serve.

The Review makes serious recommendations for both the WA State and Commonwealth Governments, and for the ACCHS Sector, to ensure that the lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic are not lost, and that the strong collaborative partnerships developed during that time are built upon to ensure we are fully prepared for future health emergencies.

Download the AHCWA COVID-19 Response Review here.