Health approachIn a bid to make health care more responsive to the needs of local communities, Indigenous Health Project Officers in the Divisions of General Practice network and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector will work to deliver culturally appropriate primary care service to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, according to a Federal Government announcement on 18 September 2009. The program includes provided $34.7 million over three years to fund 94 full-time equivalent new Indigenous Health Project Officer positions.
This project recognises the need for close cooperation between mainstream providers and the community controlled health sector and is designed to help Aboriginal Community Controlled Health peak bodies support member organisations to implement other elements of the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package.
Mr Snowdon said a further 160 full-time equivalent positions would be funded over four years commencing in 2009-10 for local Indigenous Australians to work as Outreach Workers in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Divisions of General Practice.
Up to 80 of these positions are expected to be available from late this year.