The Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator the Hon Kay Patterson, announced her approval for the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation to enter into funding agreement negotiations with the Department of Health and Ageing to run a second round coordinated care trial, the Sunrise Coordinated Care Trial (CCT). In conjunction with this, a new Regional Health Service, which will increase access to allied health services in remote regions of Katherine, will also be established.

"This trial will run for three years and will test innovative approaches to providing care for communities in the region east of Katherine. The trial is premised on the important principles of community control and capacity building, and is targeted at the whole of the population in the region. It builds on experiences and successes of the first round Aboriginal Coordinated Care Trials, two of which were also in the Northern Territory," Senator Patterson said.

"I am very pleased to make this announcement, as this trial will be a great boost to the health of indigenous people in the Katherine East region, and provides an important opportunity for practical research to inform and improve future approaches to health and community services," Senator Patterson said.

The trial demonstrates the commitment of the Government to working cooperatively with indigenous communities, health services and with the Northern Territory government to explore new ways of funding and delivering health care.

The Jawoyn Association's proposal was one of almost fifty initial applications, and has made it through initial short listing and an extended period of further development prior to final selection. This proposal has been selected on merit as one of the six best to proceed to implementation.

The trial model focuses on chronic disease prevention and management, including community and individual care planning for those with complex and chronic care needs, and targeting of public, primary, environmental, community and acute care services on a regional basis. This trial will be run in tandem with the establishment of a new Regional Health Service in the Katherine region.

Almost $1.5 million over the next three years has been allocated to the Katherine Regional Aboriginal Health and Related Services to provide a range of primary health care services to the region, including physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech therapy and audiology. These services will complement those associated with the CCT, as well as being available to the people west of Katherine and those attending the Wurli Wurlingjang Aboriginal Health Service.

The Commonwealth Government's Regional Health Services Program aims to help rural communities identify local health priorities and develop and support integrated services that meet their local needs. It recognises that no two communities are alike and that local priorities require local solutions.

"I am delighted that the Katherine region will benefit from this Coordinated Care Trial and the establishment of a new Regional Health Service. These two initiatives will increase the level of allied health services to people living in this region, complement the existing services and will also enhance cooperative arrangements between health service providers," Senator Patterson said.

Media Contacts: Emma Handyside, Office of Senator Patterson, 0417 694 520

Peter Broadhead, Acute and Coordinated Care Branch (CCT), Department of Health and Ageing, 02 6289 8458

Phillipa Lowrey, Office of Rural Health (RHS), Department of Health and Ageing, 02 6289 9084