Workforce Issues | Return to Our Services

AHCSA administers the Commonwealth funded Recruitment Program in South Australia.

This program is being coordinated by NACCHO to address the problems associated with employing professional staff to work within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Some of the activities being undertaken by AHCSA include visits twice yearly by General Practitioner Registrars to Aboriginal organisations as part of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Training Curriculum, and community consultation.

Recruitment Managers in each State/Territory of Australia meet every three months to report to OATSIH and NACCHO on the progress of the program.

The priorities for the coming year are:

• Finalisation and validation of the National Aboriginal Health Workers Competencies Review.
• Ongoing implementation of the Workforce Strategic Framework.
• Identification of the community controlled sector's workforce priorities.
• Supporting the recognition and professional status of Aboriginal Health Workers.
• Exploring the feasibility of registration for Aboriginal Health Workers.

For further information email Ann Newchurch

Rural AHW Program
The Rural Aboriginal Health Worker Program (RAHWP) is vital to ensure primary health care delivery to the Aboriginal community level in rural areas where a community controlled Aboriginal health service does not exist. AHCSA continues to monitor and manage the funds and administration associated with this program including negotiation and liaison with mainstream country hospitals and health services.

Historically, this program employs 12 AHWs in the Riverland, Mount Gambier, Oodnadatta, Whyalla, Point Pearce, Raukkan, Murray Bridge, and Meningie.

The establishment of one country region and Country Health SA have introduced some positive outcomes for the management of this program. AHCSA is working towards one funding and service agreement with Country Health SA to cover all AHW positions. Negotiations may also commence to progress the transfer of some AHW positions to recently established Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS).

Aboriginal Primary Health Care Workers Forum
The Aboriginal Primary Health Care Workers Forum is a subcommittee of AHCSA which supports Aboriginal Health Workers, Substance Misuse Workers and Hospital Liaison Officers.

The Forum has 17 members who represent Aboriginal Health Workers in all organisations, health centres and hospitals throughout South Australia.

Members come from Nganampa Health Service, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc., Umoona Tjutagku Health Service, Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc., Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, Pika Wiya Health Service, Ceduna/Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service, Tullawon Health Service, Riverland, Hills Mallee Southern, Metropolitan 1 (Southern) - Noarlunga Health Village, Metropolitan 2 (Central Northern) - Central Northern Adelaide Health Service, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers - Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Oak Valley Health Service, AHCSA Rural APHCW Program, South East, and Wakefield Region.

Meetings are generally held four times a year, and venues are rotated around the State to provide the opportunity for Aboriginal Health Workers from every health service to attend and participate.

If you would like a List of Members and Member Responsibilities, or further information email Robert Dann

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers Network
The Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers Network convenes regular meetings with representatives from the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Women's & Children's Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, and the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

For further information email Robert Dann