Minister must rethink approach to Indigenous health policy
The AMA is calling on the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mr Philip Ruddock, to rethink his approach to Indigenous health policy.
In presenting the Government's response to the Commonwealth Grants Commission Report on Indigenous Funding, Mr Ruddock spelt out an approach based on the respective health needs of urban, rural and remote communities.
Chair of the AMA Taskforce on Indigenous Health, Dr Paul Bauert, said today that Mr Ruddock misses the key point that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have poor health outcomes no matter where they live.
"The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a national disgrace that needs a consistent and coordinated national response," Dr Bauert said.
"The existing information and statistics do not allow us to make informed comparisons between Indigenous people living in the cities or in the regions.
"If you ask a doctor or health professional working in a remote community about the state of people's health you will get the same answer as you would from a doctor working in one of the city Aboriginal Health Services - health outcomes are poor and many are getting worse.
"The only comparison that needs to be made is between the health of Indigenous people and the health of other Australians. The Commonwealth Grants Commission Report confirms this discrepancy and reiterates that as a nation we have failed to make progress on Indigenous health to match other developed countries.
"We need a significant funding boost on a needs basis across the board. The Report suggests that average per capita spending for Indigenous Australians should be double that spent on services for other Australians.
"As a start, the Primary Health Care Access Program must be better funded and supported to deliver effective services on the ground as soon as possible.
"The Federal Government must also provide more funding and a coordinated strategy to get properly trained doctors and other health personnel in greater numbers to support primary health care in the communities - urban and remote," Dr Bauert said.
Dr Bauert said the AMA will work closely with NACCHO to help Mr Ruddock and Health Minister, Senator Kay Patterson, develop more effective Indigenous health strategies, including the expansion of community controlled Aboriginal health services across Australia.
CONTACT: Dr Paul Bauert, 08 8975 4688