GP-Indigenous health initiative takes shape

GENERAL practices are now hosting more than 80 Indigenous health project officers, under a $34.7 million initiative announced last year by the Rudd Government.

According to Minister for Indigenous Health and Rural and Regional Health Warren Snowdon, the officers are helping to provide better quality and culturally appropriate care for Indigenous people within mainstream health services.

“It’s important to target this area because research currently shows the majority of Indigenous Australians, that is, more than 60%, report that they go to a doctor/GP outside of Aboriginal Medical Services and hospitals,” Mr Snowdon said.

Under the initiative, the new project officers take a lead role in encouraging Indigenous people to use mainstream primary care, help general practices to deliver culturally appropriate care and provide a focus on Indigenous health at the local level.

Project officers have so far been appointed in six states and territories.