First Nations health
Working together for better care
Our goal is to ensure that primary health services and the health service system across the Murray PHN catchment area are responsive to the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This is a whole-of-organisation approach and includes:
- Increasing the basic human rights of First Nations Peoples by reducing racism and discrimination in health services.
- Focusing on mental health as a key health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
- Building our relationship and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Assisting Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to meet identified needs through improved health workforce and capacity.
- Building knowledge and understanding within health policy and practice.
Central role of ACCHOs
ACCHOs are at the heart of Aboriginal communities. They are grounded in local values and culture, and provide opportunities for engagement and participation. ACCHOs provide high-quality, evidence-based health care and are part of Murray PHN's collaboration across the health system. VACCHO/NACCHO members in the Murray PHN catchment include:
- Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS)
- Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC)
- Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
- Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS)
- Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation
- Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative (MVAC)
- Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative
VACCHO auspice services
- Kerang Aboriginal Community Centre
- Swan Hill and District Aboriginal Co-operative
VACCHO member organisations
To see all VACCHO member organisations, click here. To learn more about NACCHO, click here.
Integrated Team Care (ITC)
Integrated Team Care (ITC) combines the past programs of Care Coordination and Supplementary Services (CCSS) and Improving Indigenous Access to Mainstream Primary Care (IIAMPC). ITC builds on the success of these activities and uses a team-based approach for the provision of coordinated multidisciplinary care.
ITC aims to improve health outcomes for First Nations Peoples with chronic health conditions and to contribute to closing the gap in life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Murray PHN has commissioned several providers across the region to assist First Nations Peoples to access primary care services and to provide care coordination to eligible people. ITC providers also play a key role in improving access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For information and access to ITC, please contact the following ITC Providers in the Murray PHN catchment. Alternatively contact Murray PHN by clicking here.
Referral forms can be accessed by health professionals in our region on Murray HealthPathways. If you are not registered, you can register for free here.
Request for Supplementary Services Support
Murray PHN commissioned ITC care coordinators can use supplementary services to purchase services for clients enrolled in the program by completing this form.
Note this form is currently only available to Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Services as a pilot.
Central Victoria
Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-Operative
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
Goulburn Valley
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative
North East
Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service - working in collaboration with Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation
North West
Mallee District Aboriginal Services (Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang)
Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative (MVAC)
Resources
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient fact sheet
- GPV ID poster
- Koolin Balit cultural resource guide
- PIP Indigenous Health Incentive patient registration and consent form (IP017)
- Indigenous-health-incentive- Multiple Patient Registration and Consent
- Indigenous-health-incentive-pbs-copayment-measure-patient-withdrawal-of-consent
- Practice Incentive Program and general practice change to authorised contact Person(s)
- Eye health and optometry services
- Aboriginal Liaison Officer Murray HealthPathway
- Diabetes Victoria: Aboriginal resources developed with VACCHO
Page last updated 1 July 2022