Ten new major capital works projects will improve health infrastructure in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country.
Projects include building and renovating clinics, constructing houses for health workers, improving ventilation and cooling in clinics and building the overall capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS).
More than $15 million will be provided to successful applicants through today’s announcement of Round 1 of the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme - Closing the Gap - Major CapitalWorks (MCW) program.
These projects are the first of the 52 grants which were announced at the Joint Council on Closing the Gap last December, totalling more than a $120 million investment.
The existing stock of ACCHS infrastructure is between 20-40 years old and in significant need of repair, reconstruction and/or enhancement.
Ongoing rounds of capital works will provide better care for First Nations patients and attract and retain essential health workers in some of the most remote communities in Australia.
Deteriorating and inadequate infrastructure can compromise service delivery, pose safety risks for patients and staff, and inhibit efforts to attract workers.
Best practice clinical care can also be compromised by the inability to accommodate an increase in patients and deliver multidisciplinary integrated care.
The grants have been co-designed in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (NACCHO) on behalf of the ACCHS sector.
Once completed, the projects will provide First Nations people with culturally safe care in quality surroundings, particularly in remote and very remote locations.
Details about the successful applicants and project descriptions are attached bellow.
Quotes attributable to Minister Burney
“This significant investment demonstrates the Albanese government’s commitment to Closing the Gap and giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people better access to health care, no matter where they live.”
“This funding will support Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in their important work to deliver culturally safe and appropriate health care to First Nations peoples.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McCarthy:
“Making sure First Nations people have access to quality and safe health care is our government’s priority and it’s an essential part of Closing the Gap.”
“We can’t have good health outcomes without good infrastructure and these capital upgrades will go a long way in providing better outcomes for patients, health workers and the wider community.”
“Around half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people get their healthcare through an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, and in many rural and remote areas this is the only available option.”
“This investment will increase access to primary health care services through safe and accessible, fit-for-purpose health infrastructure.”
Quotes attributable to Pat TurnerAM, CEO, NationalAboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Lead Convener, Coalition of Peaks:
“I am pleased to see that this funding is being delivered in line with the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, where programs and services are developed in genuine partnerships with our people and funding is invested to build the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.”
“This funding supports the critical role that ACCHOs play and the contribution they make every day in improving health outcomes for our people.”
“The infrastructure funding need in our sector remains a critical pressure-point and NACCHO will continue to advocate for increased funding for our sector.”
Attachment A
List of health infrastructure projects by State and Territory
NEW SOUTH WALES
| Organisation | Location | Project Description | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | Lake Cargelligo | Purchase of and renovations to the currently occupied clinic to increase capacity for extended services, attract and retain additional workforce and address vital WHS issues. | $609,900 |
QUEENSLAND
| Organisation | Location | Project Description | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bidgerdii Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation Community Health Service Central Queensland Region | North Rockhampton | Renovation of leased premises to help attract and retain clinicians and meet increased demand for primary health care services. | $421,000 |
| Mamu Health Service Limited | Innisfail | Construction of a new primary care clinic for health care delivery and expansion of capacity to deliver GP clinics,consultation & waiting rooms and staff spaces. | $4,750,000 |
| Wuchopperen Health Service Limited | Cairns | Upgrading cooling and ventilation systems in three clinic buildings for greater economic, environmental and safety outcomes. | $1,541,782 |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
| Organisation | Location | Project Description | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation) | Warburton | Construction of eightnew one bedroom accommodation units to attract and retaining staff through providing access to safe and secure clinical staff housing | $2,921,991 |
| Ord Valley Aboriginal Health ServiceAboriginal Corporation | Kununurra | Purchase of two staff housesto assist with the recruitment and retention of clinical staff. | $910,000 |
| Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | Kunawarritji | Construction of a two-bedroom staff housing facility to enhance primary and Allied Health services in the town of Kunawarritji. | $600,000 |
| Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | Parnngurr | Construction of a two-bedroom staff housing facility and roof restorations to the existing health clinic to enhance primary and Allied Healthservices in the town of Parnngurr. | $580,000 |
TASMANIA
| Organisation | Location | Project Description | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation | Cygnet | Expansion to the existing clinic to expand capacity through a new fit for purpose, culturally appropriate primary health care room to address the growing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people living in South East Tasmania. | $1,306,681 |
| Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation | Hobart | Upgrade the existing Aboriginal Health Service to increase the efficiencies of space to meet the increasing demand for services from the Aboriginal community in the greater Hobartregion. | $1,811,500 |