Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander OrganisationsCommunity Ownership and Control

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Organisations-Community Ownership and
Control Sheryl Lawton Deputy Chair QAIHC 27 March
2007
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Role of Aboriginal and Islander
organisations they provide an established
mechanism for increasing indigenous control over
management of primary health care services and
represent a major source of education, training
,achievement and pride ,have developed a pool of
knowledge and expertise about indigenous health,
play an integral role in the health system as
partners with governments in policy, planning and
through Framework Agreements and ensure a range
of primary care services in one place.DoHA,2001
Rationale for development of services was
because mainstream services did not respond to
community needs.
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QAIHC position is that these initiatives form
part of the reshaping of community health
services in Queensland . A strong community
controlled health sector plays an important role
in creating employment and training in indigenous
communities and building capacity. building
capacity is defined as more financial investment,
increasing the indigenous workforce, devolving
decision making to communities and reforming
health systems.NATSIHC,2003.
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• QAIHC endorses the view outlined in the National
  Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres
  Strait Islander Peoples Mental Health and Social
  and Emotional Well Being that Aboriginal and
  Torres Strait Islander communities are diverse
  which suggests that identifying health service
  needs in particular communities requires
• an examination of what is working and not working
  plus identification of gaps in services compared
  to local needs, strengths and opportunities. this
  may include-
• - services knowledge
  of history/culture
• - skills in
  culturally sensitive interventions
• - responsiveness to
  community needs /wishes
• - ability to devolve
  decision making
• This model is a gold standard approach.

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QAIHC supports service linkages across diverse
local organisations to help develop capacity,
including services capability to strategically
engage with the mainstream interests in health.
QAIHC supports collaboration and cooperation to
drive service responses (not competition) in
order to leverage maximum capability for
community engagement in the health needs of
communities.
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QAIHCs preferred model for community controlled
health organisations in Queensland reflect the
following characteristics -Local
solutions -Participation and leadership -Skills
in planning, coordination, advocacy and problem
solving -Sense of community- belonging,
influence, emotional connection -Access to
appropriate financial, technology and human
resources -Involving local workforce as
peer/customary helpers -Building capability
through informal networks
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QAIHC suggests that critical success factors
are-firstly appropriate services and programs
such as those developed by the Townsville
Aboriginal Islander Health Service for mums and
babies. This program has achieved national
recognition with sustaining pregnancies,
increasing birth weights and encouraging sound
infant nutrition. QAIHC argues that program
development which supports ready access by
indigenous people involves careful design and
culturally appropriate uptake strategies.
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QAIHC suggests a focus on an appropriate
workforce will include doctors, including
specialists, nurses, including practice nurses,
Aboriginal Health Workers and liaison workers, as
well as administrative and managerial staff. In
addition a range of other professional groups
bring skills such as allied health staff, RFDS,
counselors, drug and alcohol workers, dentists,
pharmacists, community members as healers or
peers and health promotion staff.
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Secondly community engagement programs fail from
a lack of community involvement or ownership.
Service providers are involved in local health
plans and health education program design and
delivery for individuals and communities.
Services also seek community input to community
activities, advice on health delivery and
management, complaints, quality and safety. For
example in my own community .