Aboriginal health regional plan released

Following from the recent NAIDOC Week, the Murrumbidgee Aboriginal Health Consortium (The Consortium) has released a three-year plan to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Murrumbidgee region.

Chair of the Consortium Melinda Green said the plan outlines the priorities of the Consortium that will be the areas of focus for the 2020-2022 period, including the underpinning strategies and initiatives.

“The plan also outlines how the Consortium will work together, provides an overview of the health and population needs, and outlines the state and national Government policies that influence the range of services available to support the delivery of its priorities,” Ms Green said.

“The plan has been in development since mid-2019, and includes information gathered from consultations with service providers and community members.

“Their input informed the four priority areas of the regional plan, which are enhancing health literacy of the community; increasing the awareness of health needs and services in the region; strengthening service delivery and the responsiveness of services; and improving coordination and integration between service providers.”

During the consultations and workshops conducted as part of the development of the plan, five key health issues were identified as priority areas for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population living in the Murrumbidgee.

“Mental health; alcohol and other drugs; chronic disease; maternal health and early childhood; and family violence were the health issues considered most important by community members,” Ms Green said.

“As such, we have prioritised strategies that could be applied to these health issues.”

The Consortium was established in 2015 to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Murrumbidgee region by coordinating and implementing targeted strategies and initiatives through key regional stakeholders.

Core members of the Consortium include Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN), Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Riverina Murray Regional Alliance, Viney Morgan Aboriginal Medical Service, Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service, and Riverina Aboriginal Medical and Dental Corporation.

Download the regional plan here.