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Health Services > Aboriginal Health
Planning Framework | Service Delivery Model | New Initiatives | Other Resources
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represents 13.2% of the population within the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) regions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disadvantaged to other Australians with respect to a number of social and economic factors, such as education, income, employment and housing. This places them at greater risk of poverty, violence, ill health and reduced wellbeing. (ABS, Australian Social Trends 2000) and both illness and death rates are significantly higher than those of the non-indigenous WACHS population.
The WACHS works in partnership with Aboriginal communities and health service providers to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people receive culturally appropriate health care that meets their increased needs through supporting the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and the current priorities of:
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strengthening comprehensive primary health care;
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addressing emotional and social well being (including alcohol and drugs); and
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addressing the pre determinants of chronic disease (including nutrition and physical activity, and child and maternal health).
Planning Framework
The WACHS is an active participant in the Regional Aboriginal Health Planning Forums. Together with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO), the Office of Aboriginal Health (WA Department of Health) and the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (Australian Government), the WACHS is committed to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia through a coordinated approach to the planning, funding and delivery of health and health-related services.
Service Delivery Model
Health services are provided within 'mainstream' WACHS services e.g. community health services and hospitals, and supplemented by targeted local initiatives such as Aboriginal community health clinics, and the employment of specific health professionals e.g. Aboriginal Health Workers. Increased integration of the WACHS services with those of ACCHO occurs through shared Aboriginal health planning via the Regional Aboriginal Health Planning Forums and through shared service activities such as joint health promotion events.
New Initiatives
Increased integration of services is also occurring through the development of WACHS/ACCHO partnerships such as in Esperance, Albany and Fitzroy Crossing.
Other Resources
» Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
» Department of Health Office of Aboriginal Health
» National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
» Western Australian Aboriginal Medical Services
» Western Australian Diabetes Strategy
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