National efforts to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation received a boost today with the announcement of 83 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outreach Worker placements across Australia.
Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said funding had been approved for 83 positions, more than half of the 160 positions that are being funded under a $42 million commitment to build the capacity of the Indigenous health workforce over four years. [See attached table for placement details].
Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy has welcomed the placement of one outreach worker for Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Clinic/Health Service (ACT) Inc under the program.
“The placement will help increase community engagement with health services in the ACT, including increasing the uptake of Indigenous health checks and identifying Indigenous people who would benefit from improved access to health services,” Senator Lundy said.
“In addition, they will assist Indigenous people to access other health services, including follow-up care, specialist services and community pharmacies.”
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outreach Workers will be employed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Divisions of General Practice.
They will have access to nationally accredited basic level training through the vocational education and training sector.
The Prime Minister’s Report on Closing the Gap released on Thursday 11 February 2010 announced that the 83 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outreach Workers would be appointed to health clinics and organisations across Australia before the end of June.
Media contact: Annika Hutchins (Senator Kate Lundy) 0407 458 882
