Posted : January 18, 2005
Aboriginal and Indigenous Health Initiatives
Aboriginal Cervical Screening Program
Sharon Clarke from the Aboriginal Services Division of the Department of Health attended a Practice Nurse Network meeting to discuss with the group ways in which Divisions could support the distribution and dissemination of �Principles of Practice, Standards and Guidelines for Providers of Cervical Screening Services for Indigenous Women�. Using the Practice Nurse Network proved to be an excellent way for Sharon to share information and seek support. The group was extremely responsive and has provided a variety of strategies to maximise this important initiative with general practice.
New Developments
Workshops were held by Commonwealth DoHA early in 2004 on the Aboriginal Primary Health Care Access Program. At the first one, Chris McRae (Murray Mallee) gave a presentation on the role of Divisions, with Valerie Williams (SADI) speaking at the second workshop. Speakers from regional Aboriginal health services were enthusiastic about how engagement with Divisions had significantly helped them to link with general practice. This initiative has the potential to improve access for Aboriginal people to mainstream primary health care providers, including general practice, and to support partnerships between Divisions and Aboriginal health services. The work by Limestone Coast, Adelaide Hills, Murray Mallee and Adelaide Northern was acknowledged by speakers at the second workshop with these speakers demonstrating a good knowledge of the role of Divisions.
Early in 2004-2005, representatives from the Aboriginal Health Council met with SADI to discuss the possibility of SADI working with them to develop an MoU between SADI, Divisions and the Aboriginal Health Council. Similar work has been undertaken in Victoria by GP Divisions Victoria (GPDV) (SADI�s counterpart) and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (VACCHO) and nationally by ADGP and NACCHO. This is a long awaited development, with exciting possibilities, including the possibility of engaging at the regional level between Aboriginal Medical Services and local Divisions.