BUNBURY and the South West’s indigenous community is set to benefit after a federal government announcement of $6.3 million funding to the South West Aboriginal Medical Service over three years.
The investment focuses on primary and preventable health care, including funding for the Healthy for Life program, Indigenous Outreach workers and a Primary Health Care Base.
Nationals Member for the South West Colin Holt MLC welcomed the announcement by federal health minister Sussan Ley and assistant health minister Fiona Nash.
Mr Holt said Senator Nash had visited SWAMS last year to tour the Bunbury facility with him and meet with indigenous health stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the unique healthcare challenges in the South West.
Senator Nash said the challenges included tackling the high health needs of individuals and communities that often lived in challenging circumstances with chronic and complex conditions, the need for effective prevention and clinical intervention, and better delivery of programmes and services.
“The Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations play a unique and vital role in our efforts to close the gap in health outcomes through working with communities to improve access for Indigenous families to primary or preventative health care,” Senator Nash said.
“We are committed to making long-term improvements in indigenous health through continuing to support families and communities to improve their health and wellbeing.”
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations enable the delivery of culturally appropriate services including support from multi-disciplinary teams involving nurses, aboriginal health workers and allied health providers as well as general practitioners.
