Aboriginal Health
The South Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice Ltd acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and pay respects to Elders both past and present.
Background:
There are an estimated 152,685 Aboriginal people living in NSW, comprising 29% of the total Aboriginal population in Australia and representing the largest Aboriginal population of any State or Territory in Australia. In the 2006 ABS Census (population and housing), 2,230 Indigenous Australians were recorded as residing in the Botany and Randwick SLA making up 1.3% of the Division’s total population.
6.5% of the Aboriginal population in the Division is aged 65 yrs and above compared with 3.3% of the Aboriginal population in Australia and 3.5% of the Aboriginal population of NSW. The highest percentage age group for the Aboriginal population of SESDGP is the 15–44 yrs old group.
There are significant disparities in the health status of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia evident across the life cycle: from lower birth-weight, earlier onset of some chronic diseases, and higher death rates to lower life expectancy.
The aim of the National Closing the Gap program is to reduce the current disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians. Following the National Indigenous Reform Agreement from the Council of Australian Governments, the Closing the Gap: Tackling Chronic Disease Package was launched by the Commonwealth Government in 2009.
South Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice Ltd. (SESDGP) has employed an Aboriginal Health Project Officer, who is working towards the key objective of the Division’s Aboriginal Health Program which is to improve health outcomes for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population by achieving the following:
- increase access to mainstream primary care services by Indigenous Australians,
- improve the capacity of general practice to deliver culturally sensitive primary care services,
- increase the uptake of specifically tailored Indigenous MBS items to improve the prevention and management of chronic disease,
- support mainstream primary care services to encourage Indigenous Australians to self-identify in a culturally safe manner,
- increase awareness and understanding by GPs and local Aboriginal people of Closing the Gap measures relevant to primary care, and
- foster collaboration and support between mainstream primary care and the Indigenous health sector.
SESDGP is committed to contributing to an improvement in the provision of culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal people and a reduction in the current life expectancy gap between Aboriginal people and the wider community by collaboration and consultation with health care professionals and our local Indigenous Australian population.
Information and Resources for GPs, Practice Staff, Allied Health Professionals and Aboriginal community members to communicate, promote and assist best practice management of Aboriginal patients.
Cultural Awareness for GPs and Practice Staff to assist in the provision of a culturally safe and appropriate health service.
GP Aboriginal Health Interagency for those GPs with a specific interest in or experience of providing services to Aboriginal patients. If you are a local GP and would like to become a member of this group please contact Lisa Merrison at the Division or email lmerrison@sesdgp.com.au.
Aboriginal Consultation and Liaison Program aims to maintain a high level of communication and links with Aboriginal community members, local Aboriginal organisations, the Local Area Health Service and relevant state and commonwealth departments.
Aboriginal Health Program Steering Committee was first formed in 2008 with key representatives from the Division, a local GP Advisor, Aboriginal community representatives and representatives from the relevant departments of the local Area Health Service. This committee provides guidance for the strategic direction of the Aboriginal Health Program and provides input into proposed activities. This committee meets quarterly.
Participation, Promotion and Representation of the Division (other relevant Aboriginal Health activities and meetings): with the La Perouse Local Area Land Council, La Perouse Interagency, Division’s link (local area health boundaries), local community events and Community Health Link Meetings (at La Perouse).
For more information on the SESDGP activities which are conducted under the Closing the Gap program, contact Lisa Merrison, Aboriginal Health Program Officer on 02 9663 5958 or by email lmerrison@sesdgp.com.au.
The Closing the Gap "Improving Access to Mainstream Primary Care" initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, facilitated locally by the South Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice Ltd.
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