This includes ensuring that community members with chronic disease get to see the health practitioners they need to, are provided with specialised medical aids where necessary and are assisted with transport to attend medical appointments.
The tremendous work being done by the Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations such as Durri and Rekindling The Spirit, and the other organisations who have received funding, will go a long way to improving health and wellbeing,”
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Mr Ken Wyatt AM, has announced that the Commonwealth has invested more than $9.1 m in a range of health services specifically for Aboriginal communities across the North Coast.
See full list below or Download
20171107-Commissioning-Summary-Aboriginal-Health
North Coast NSW – comprising Northern NSW and the Mid North Coast – has an average Aboriginal population of 4.5%, nearly double that of other areas of Australia (2.5%).
Funding distributed through North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) enables 14 different service providers to deliver a range of services and programs from Tweed Heads down to the Clarence Valley. These services help fill identified health service gaps and provide specialised training for both health professionals and community members.
In the Needs Assessment conducted by NCPHN last year, health service providers said that mental health and drug and alcohol counselling were the two health services that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people found most difficult to access.
Mr Wyatt said he was delighted that a significant amount of the funding had been distributed to deliver such services and programs to meet the needs of the Aboriginal population.
He also praised the work being done by Aboriginal Medical Services.
See Quotes above
North Coast Primary Health Network Chief Executive Dr Vahid Saberi said it is pleasing that NCPHN had been successful in commissioning such a range of health services specifically for Aboriginal people.
“Our commissioning process has resulted in selecting excellent providers to deliver these services. There is some exciting work happening and I look forward to seeing what is achieved, recognising that more work needs to be done.”
The funding is also providing much needed training in suicide prevention for both community members and health professionals, as well as specialist support for clinicians working with people with drug and/or alcohol issues.
Key North Coast PHN Indigenous investments:
- Integrated Team Care: $5.029 million (2016-18) to improve access to coordinated care for chronic conditions and culturally appropriate care.
- Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders: $2.095 million (2016-19) to increase capacity of the drug and alcohol treatment sector though improved regional coordination and by commissioning additional drug and alcohol treatment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Indigenous Mental Health Flexible Funding: $2.006 million (2016-18) to improve access to integrated, culturally appropriate and safe mental health services that holistically meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Source: Ice dependence, chronic disease among targets of North Coast health blitz
Click here to download a summary of current NCPHN commissioned services.
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT ABORIGINAL HEALTH PROJECTS LISTED BELOW:
INTEGRATED TEAM CARE & OUTREACH PROGRAM
Providers: Jullums Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) Lismore, Bullinah AMS, Ballina, Bulgarr Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation; Durri Aboriginal Medical Corporation; Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Clinic; Bawrunga Coffs Harbour GP Super Clinic Ltd.
This program is run through Aboriginal Medical Services and supports Aboriginal patients with chronic disease in purchasing specialised medical aids and with transport and support to attend GP and specialist medical appointments. Delivered across the entire region.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICE REDESIGN PROJECT
Provider: Jullums AMS and Rekindling The Spirit
The project aim is to align the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service delivered by Jullums to national guidelines for managing people with co-occurring alcohol and drug issues and mental health conditions in community settings. The guidelines will be amended to ensure that the service is culturally appropriate and is tailored to meet the needs of each patient.
ADDICTION SPECIALIST CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICE
Provider: Bulgarr Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation
Addiction specialist support to the clinicians working in Bulgarr Ngaru medical clinics, located in Grafton, Casino and Tweed Heads.
CLINICIAN SUPPORT FOR MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF DRUG/ALCOHOL ISSUES
Provider: Bulgarr Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation
Clinician support for management and treatment of drug/alcohol issues – Grafton and surrounds.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM
Provider: Bulgarr Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation
A holistic and culturally appropriate cardiac health prevention and management program – Clarence Valley
KIDNEY HEALTH PROJECT
Provider: Bulgarr Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation
The Kidney Health Project aims to improve early identification and interventions to achieve better kidney health, thus preventing the onset of chronic kidney disease. Run in collaboration with Northern NSW Local Health District. To be run across Northern NSW.
CLINICIAN SUPPORT FOR MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF DRUG/ALCOHOL ISSUES
Provider: Jullums Aboriginal Medical Service
Clinician support for management and treatment of drug/alcohol issues. Delivered in Lismore and surrounds.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM
Provider: Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Clinic
A holistic and culturally appropriate cardiac health prevention and management program. Delivered in the Port Macquarie LGA.
BOWRAVILLE FAMILY THERAPY
Provider: Durri Aboriginal Medical Corporation
Assisting families with a range of health related matters, identifying ways to improve health outcomes. Delivered in the Nambucca region.
MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Provider: Galambila Aboriginal Health Service Corporation
Working with Mid North Coast LHD staff to improve mental health and wellbeing. Mid North Coast region.
MAAYU MALI (GROW STRONG PROGRAM)
Provider: Galambila Aboriginal Health Service Corporation
Maayu Mali means to “make better”. It offers a 3-month residential rehabilitation program followed by after-care services, delivered in a culturally sensitive context to people experiencing drug and alcohol addiction. Hastings-Macleay region.
EXTENSION OF NAMATJIRA HAVEN “GULGIHWEN” RESIDENTIAL POGRAM & WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
Provider: Namatjira Haven
This is a program for Aboriginal men with both alcohol and/or other drug issues and mental health problems. It works to re-connect Indigenous men to their history, culture and community. Delivered for residents in Ballina, Lismore, Byron Bay, Casino and Kyogle.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
Provider: Namatjira Haven
Mental Health First Aid courses teach mental health first aid strategies to community members. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Delivered in Alstonville.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT INTEGRATION PROJECT
Provider: The Buttery
Aboriginal workforce development, capacity building, information and education for health professionals to improve the coordination and integration of drug and alcohol treatment services. Delivered across Northern NSW.
GARIMALEH WERLA NA (TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF PROGRAM)
Provider: University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore
Enhances social and emotional wellbeing, particularly with complex health needs in relation to disconnection, trauma and substance misuse. Delivered in Lismore, Alstonville and Ballina.
THE LIFE TREE MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Provider: CRANES
The Life Tree Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training Program for Aboriginal community members. Delivered across North Coast.
THE LIFE TREE MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR CLINICIANS WORKING IN ABORIGINAL HEALTH
Provider: CRANES
The Life Tree Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training Program for clinicians working in Aboriginal Health. Delivered across North Coast.
ART ON BUNDJALUNG COUNTRY
Provider: North Coast Primary Health Network
A creative arts project to nurture local Indigenous artists and to prepare work for a special exhibition at the new Lismore Regional Gallery late in the year. It’s well known that engagement in the arts can enhance health and wellbeing. Delivered in the Northern Rivers region.
HEALTHY MINDS
Provider: North Coast Primary Health Network
A free, referral-based psychological service for those needing access to mental health services who are financially disadvantaged, including members of the Aboriginal community. Delivered across North Coast.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING SERVICES
Provider: North Coast Primary Health Network
For people with a mental illness impacting severely on their lives, including members of the Aboriginal community. Delivered across North Coast.
“WE YARN” ABORIGINAL SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION WORKSHOPS
Provider: Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle
For Aboriginal community members interested in suicide prevention. Delivered across the region