Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Health 

Supporting effective, sustainable

culturally appropriate health care

______________________________________

Year in review


Our PHN works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, their Elders, and health care providers to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our region.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the following page may contain images and names of people who have passed away.

25,000

people in our region identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

1 in 3

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples work with their GP to manage a health condition

96%

of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children are fully immunised

2%

of people in our local health workforce identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Remembering the past and changing the future through reconciliation 

In March 2020, our PHN took the first significant step towards reconciliation with the launch of our initial Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 


The development of the Reflect RAP formalises our PHN’s commitment to ensuring the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard and considered in all our decisions and actions. 


The implementation of our Reflect RAP is led by an internal RAP Working Group (RAPWG) who continue to look at ways our PHN can have better representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The RAPWG has worked diligently in 2019-20 to scope out and explore the PHN’s sphere of influence, and how we can better develop relationships with stakeholders to help our reconciliation journey.


The development of our Reflect RAP represents the desire of our PHN to build stronger relationships with local medical and primary health care providers to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in our region.

Supporting a culturally inclusive health system

The PHN funds services and programs throughout our region that are accessible and culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Working with the community to better understand local customs and traditions, we aim to improve health and wellbeing of all.

Integrated Team Care Program

The Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program improves access to primary health

care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the region. 


The ITC program is a core foundation in our PHN's primary care strategy

and provides: 


  • care coordination;
  • supplementary services for people with chronic conditions;
  • access to affordable medicines;
  • transport services for medical appointments;
  • medical aids; and
  • linkages to a wider array of community services. 

16,274

care coordination services delivered

13,617

supplementary services delivered

13,170

clinical services delivered

43,411

total services delivered through the ITC Program

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Goolburri Bunjiburris to Gunadoos Program 

The Bunji to Gunadoos Program provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Toowoomba with culturally appropriate wrap-around support during the first 2,000 days of life to ensure parents, children and the family unit thrive.  


The Program supports:

 

  • inclusion of fathers in the early childhood phase of health care; 
  • increased access and attendance to GP, midwife and antenatal appointments; 
  • increased access to immunisation appointments; and 
  • opportunistic health care for women and their children. 


In 2019-20, the Program provided: 

444

family appointments

161

playgroup sessions

515

hospital and GP antenatal care appointments

Goondir Cultural Development Program

The Cultural Development Program is delivered by Goondir in Dalby and

aims to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of participants through providing activities that offer a re-connection to culture.


These activities are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander facilitators

who take participants through a range of cultural activities and experiences including boomerang and didgeridoo making, cultural dance, story telling

and visits to culturally significant sites.


Program attendees actively participated in NAIDOC week, The Theodore Corroboree and the Booin Gari Festival Noosa. 


In 2019-20, the Goondir Cultural Development Program supported 360 individuals.


Goondir Walk About Barber

Our PHN funded the Goondir Walk About Barber, a first of its kind mobile barber service focused on trauma recovery and suicide prevention support.  The service is designed to provide a safe space for men to connect and have real conversations that support healing while focusing on hope and happiness.


This experience gives men the opportunity to sit in a chair, receive a fresh cut and connect with their Barber over challenges they may be or have experienced.


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