Media Release
29-7-2009
Aboriginal Health Authority needs developing: NACCHO
While Aboriginal health is seen as a priority by the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission,
(NHHRC) its central recommendation of a Health Authority to aggregate Aboriginal health funding and
purchase services is barely developed in its report.
Dr Mick Adams, chair of NACCHO, the peak body for community controlled Aboriginal medical
services said, “The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Authority concept is an
interesting option we have discussed within our sector and it would have assisted if the Commission
had further explored a range of models for it”.
“There’s no detail on how the $58 million Health Authority might work to ensure Aboriginal people’s
role in setting the priorities to improve our health for example.
“Our sector welcomes the chance to work to improve the Authority idea. We will be wary that
implementation of the Authority’s purchaser provider model doesn’t disadvantage Aboriginal
community controlled health services’ holistic model of care.
“We don’t want something similar to the massive disruption to Aboriginal Legal Aide services caused
by introduction of tendering of services.
“There is a clear contradiction where Recommendation 59 argues for ‘a substantial increase on
current expenditure’ to match the level of need in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
yet it then claims (page 266) no increase is required due to recent COAG funding.
“NACCHO sees much of this COAG funding for Aboriginal health is committed to supporting
mainstream GP services at the expense of being able to expand Aboriginal community controlled
health services for the more disadvantaged patients.
“We welcome the Commission’s recommendations to address financial barriers to good dental health
which have seriously affected and added to the burden of disease in our communities.
“NACCHO is interested in the ‘health care home’ concept (Recommendation 18 p256) enabling young
families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with chronic and complex conditions
to register at a single a single primary health care service attracting funding to support multidisciplinary
services, care coordination and funding to keep people well. It could fit well with our sector’s
comprehensive primary health care if it also recognises our local community controlled governance
model.
“The initiative to better coordinate training and accreditation of health professionals also deserves
further examination especially in supporting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to gain
qualifications.
“The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has relayed to the Minister for
Health and Ageing that we look forward to working with government on this chance to implement
lasting reform in Aboriginal health and to ensuring our people also benefit from the raft of other
initiatives arising from the Commissions report” Dr Adams said.
NACCHO Media Contacts:
Chairperson Dr Mick Adams 04 0964 6952
CEO Dea Thiele 04 1704 6692
Media Chris Hallett 04 0770 4788
NEWS 
