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This report presents data from services receiving Healthy for life (HfL) funding, including the number of clients and health outcomes measured by 10 essential indicators (EIs) covering maternal and child health and chronic disease care:
It is the first publicly released report published since data collection and reporting for the Healthy for life program began in 2007. Healthy for life (HfL) program was established with a set of key objectives to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The report provides comparisons over time, making it easy to see how the program has developed and its major achievements.
About 100 health services were funded as part of the program, but not all were required to provide data. Those providing data for the report represent 85% of all services funded in the 2010-11 reporting period. The services are widely distributed in every state and territory, from major cities to very remote areas.
The HfL aligns with the principles and priorities of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (NSF), 2003- 2013 and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Closing the gap initiative, and is the first Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) funded program with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement (CQI) to collect and report on health outcome data that goes beyond service activity reporting.
Abstract adapted from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This is the second research report which investigates Indigenous perspectives on effective community engagement for successful and sustainable employment in the private sector.
The publication reports on research that sought the opinions of Indigenous thought leaders and practitioners. The investigation and presentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives was seen as necessary to balance what was seen as a disproportionate focus on employer perspectives and experiences to-date.
The report presents eight key characteristics of effective engagement:
The reported findings - that Indigenous peoples' voices and knowledge are key to enabling Australian organisations build sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations - could be applied beyond private sector employment.
The report was produced by the Diversity Council Australia in partnership with Lend Lease and Reconciliation Australia.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This publication reports on a qualitative research project which aimed to describe how cultural models of service delivery are understood, and to identify key elements to inform the development of a two-way, bicultural practice framework for the children and families sector in the Northern Territory (NT).
While the research focused on practice in non-government organisations (NGOs) delivering services to children and families at risk of substance misuse, family violence, and mental health issues, the researchers anticipate that the findings in this report could lead to a sharper policy and practice focus on cultural safety in the broader Australian Indigenous context.
The study design included:
The report presents eight themes derived from the thematic analysis:
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This website ('the Atlas') is a tool for Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health staff who work in remote areas. The Atlas is maintained by the Remote Health Branch of the NT Department of Health.
The Atlas contains protocols, standards, forms and information relevant to remote health work in the NT. Topics covered are:
In general, the website does not provide protocols for the management of clinical conditions. Protocols for the management of clinical conditions are covered by the CARPA standard treatment manual and the Women's business manual, both of which are endorsed by the NT Health Department. However, when clinical best practice changes, or where a new requirement for clinical guidance emerges, interim advice is contained in this Atlas.
Abstract adapted from NT Department of Health
This half hour DVD includes ten short interviews with Indigenous health workers from around Australia who share their experiences as health professionals. It highlights the role they play in delivering culturally safe and effective health care, their commitment and their work towards closing the health gap for their people.
The resource also includes an interactive panel discussion, recorded live, which provides information on the role and function of Indigenous health workers, particularly their broad scope of practice. Health workers who have the title 'health practitioner' are required to be registered under the Health worker registration scheme and the panel discusses the different state and territory transitions to the national scheme.
The resource was developed by the Rural Health Education Foundation and funded by Health Workforce Australia.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that these programs may contain images of people who have died.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
Telehealth uses a range of telecommunications technologies to facilitate the electronic transmission of health information and images, including using technology for video consultations conducted in real time between a patient and a primary healthcare provider.
In this half hour documentary, primary healthcare teams and specialists outline how telehealth is strengthening their teamwork and care coordination and is helping them deliver the care their patients need when it's needed. The positive impact telehealth is having on patients, their families and their communities is also explained through interviews with patients.
Included in the documentary are four case studies:
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This is the fourth report under the auspice of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council to measure progress against the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework (HPF). The framework has become one of the key means of monitoring progress in Closing the gap between Indigenous and other Australians. It was reviewed and revised in 2011 and now includes 68 key measures (previously 71 measures) under the following tiers:
The aim of the report is to promote accountability, inform policy and research, and generate informed debate. The report includes an overview of current national policies and strategies, and data analysis for each of the three tiers.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
In this report, the author discusses the issue of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (AHWs) in Australia being 'short changed'. The report states that AHWs have not been given enough training to adequately perform their roles; are undervalued, under paid, and overburdened with difficult health issues; and still do not have clearly defined roles and support.
The AHW workforce has been declining in recent years and the author suggests that to improve this, training for AHWs could be broken into three broad categories: clinical care or primary care, community care or community service, and cultural brokerage.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This paper describes the patient journey mapping tool and frameworks used in the Managing two worlds together (MTWT) project. Through interviews and focus groups with patients, their carer/family, and health care providers, the paper explores the barriers and enablers, gaps and strategies in relation to the journeys of country Aboriginal patients from rural and remote locations to city hospitals and their return. The primary aim of the MTWT project is to enhance existing knowledge of the strengths, and areas of improvement, in the care of Aboriginal patients from rural and remote areas of South Australia by exploring what happens when they come to Adelaide for hospital care. The project is comprised of two stages, with Stage 1 focusing on the problems, and Stage 2 focusing on solutions. The patient journey mapping tools are the first output of Stage 2.
Abstract adapted from Managing two worlds together: stage 2 - patient journey mapping tools
This report outlines Onemda's evaluation of the New model of care program. The program was established by The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne and implemented by the Wadja Aboriginal Family Place. It aims to improve Aboriginal patient access to hospital services and to provide culturally appropriate care. The program arose from hospital and community concerns that more still needs to be done to improve the health of Aboriginal children.
The New model of care program involves five components:
The evaluation supported this program, and provided recommendations for each of the five components.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The Taking care of business web tool provides a guide for assessment, implementation, and adaption of strategies for corporate and business administration functions in Indigneous primary health care services.
It is based on information contributed by participants and research undertaken for the Support systems for Indigenous primary health care services project and can be used by services to assist in the decision-making process in relation to seeking support for corporate functions.
The tool follows five steps:
Steps 1, 2 and 3 are designed as a guide for organisational assessment of current corporate support strategies.
Steps 4 and 5 assist organisations to identify potential opportunities for strengthening corporate support systems by enhancing partnerships with other services or
networks, and provide examples of various potential models. The steps can be used to work within the organisation and to inform how to work with others.
The tool is intended as a guide for the assessment of your service's management of corporate functions. The information supplied is of a general nature and services need to consider their own circumstances in more detail when using this tool.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This resource directory is an annual publication by the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Doctors' Network. It provides a comprehensive guide to NSW medical resources as well as a reference to national resources for rural general practitioners (GPs). The guide contains the following information:
(Aboriginal resources are found on pages 45-56).
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The Standard on culturally secure practice (alcohol and other drug sector) has been developed for alcohol and other drug (AOD) agencies to gain a formal certification of a culturally secure practice.
The Standard contains seven performance expectations and criteria. Agencies are awarded a 'good practice' certification if they meet 80% of the essential criteria for each performance expectation.
The Standard is supported by a separate document, the Interpretive guide to the standard on culturally secure practice. The Interpretive guide helps agencies to achieve certification by providing examples of how to interpret and apply the standards.
The Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA) developed the document in consultation with the WA AOD sector, and with Indigenous AOD services Australia-wide. The Drug and Alcohol Office of WA and the Australian Government's Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health funded its development.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The purpose of this document is to help the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Health achieve its goal of increasing the size of its Aboriginal workforce.
NSW Health aims to:
This Framework is a tool to help NSW Health achieve these Aboriginal workforce goals. It assists NSW Health employees with:
In 2011, Aboriginal people made up 1.8% of the NSW Health workforce. To achieve its goal of 2.6% representation, an increase of a further 1,400 Aboriginal employees is needed by 2015. This is the equivalent of an additional 280 people per year across NSW.
Abstract adapted from NSW Health
The Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies has developed a Culturally secure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment and retention guide to support CEOs and senior managers of services in the alcohol and other drugs sector. The guide is designed to provide CEOs and line managers with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and their culture. This guide provides useful tips and examples of positive approaches to recruiting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
Abstract adapted from the Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies
This document is part of a suite of resources that aim to enhance Indigenous worker wellbeing and reduce work related stress. It was designed for Indigenous alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers and explores a number of issues relevant to them. This document contains:
The checklists contain questions which may assist in the development of staff cultural competency and are a useful workforce development training tool.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
