82. Reduce Aboriginal health inequity and inequality by establishing health facilities tailored to Aboriginal needs, including:
- supporting and funding the development of community-based primary care and allied health facilities that are designed and operated in partnership with Aboriginal communities and provide well-integrated and culturally secure wraparound services for Aboriginal people
- providing health facilities in Aboriginal communities that are fit for purpose and have access to high-quality digital connectivity to support ongoing and improved delivery of telehealth services.
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 82 is fully supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
82.129 Undertake planning reviews for the development and redevelopment of culturally appropriate care, close to home for residents in rural and remote WA
82.130 Engage with Aboriginal communities in regional WA to better understand how investment in facilities (including digital) can support the provision of culturally appropriate care and health services. Where there is an identified need funding will be sought through the development of business cases
1/2 actions on schedule
1/2 actions behind schedule
82.129 Behind schedule
Work continues on a business case to transfer the Lombadina and Ardyaloon health clinics to the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service.
82.130 On schedule
The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) HealthNext wide area network project has been completed and transitioned into business as usual. StarLink has been adopted across some sites with further expansion being explored to address connectivity issues. WACHS is also focussing on increasing access to safe, quality care closer to home for Aboriginal communities through expanding telehealth services. The Command Centre suite of emergency outpatients services continues to support Aboriginal people to stay on Country and with family as much as possible.