National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan
Introduction to the NATSIHP (the Health Plan)
Information about community consultations and online consultations for development of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (NATSIHP)
The Australian Government is developing a new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (the Health Plan) in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their representatives. State and territory governments have been invited to participate.
The Health Plan will support the Government’s efforts to close the gap in life expectancy and child mortality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the broader population. It will recognise that health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is not just the physical wellbeing of the individual, but also encompasses their social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing.
To develop a comprehensive plan in partnership, the Australian Government held a series of nation-wide community consultations and conducted an online submissions process to capture different views and ideas. To provide context and guidance for the consultations and submissions process, the Department developed a Discussion Paper which sought responses to a range of questions to help shape the development of the Health Plan.
The consultation and submission process provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring the Health Plan identifies the key health issues and necessary priorities to further close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Discussion Paper
The Department developed a Discussion Paper to provide context and guidance throughout the consultation and submission process for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (the Health Plan).The Discussion Paper outlines the current state of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and seeks responses to a range of questions related to health system performance and the social determinants of health. The aim of the Discussion Paper was to start a conversation about the development of the Health Plan and important health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NATSIHP Discussion Paper
Executive Summary
Submission Process
An online submission process was open from 11 September 2012 to 20 December 2012 to provide an opportunity for all points of views in the community to be heard and considered throughout the development of the Health Plan.The submissions can now be viewed at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan Community Submissions Received page.
Consultations
The Australian Government held a series of nation-wide consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and groups, health/social determinants service providers, and state and territory governments. The consultations gathered feedback from stakeholders to ensure the Health Plan meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of all ages and from different backgrounds and locations. A total of 17 consultations were held, including a specific youth consultation, which provided an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander you to contribute their thoughts and experience to the development of the Health Plan.At the consultations, participants were invited to provide their views on the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through group workshops and public forums.
Summaries of the outcomes from each of the community consultations are available by clicking the links to the below pages:
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Sydney (NSW) - National Youth Consult | Wednesday, 19 September - Saturday, 22 September 2012 |
| Darwin (NT) | Monday, 1 October 2012 |
| Alice Springs (NT) | Wednesday, 3 October 2012 |
| Maningrida (NT) | Friday, 5 October 2012 |
| Canberra (ACT) | Monday, 22 October 2012 |
| Launceston (TAS) | Friday, 9 November 2012 |
| Melbourne (VIC) | Monday, 12 November 2012 |
| Shepparton (VIC) | Tuesday, 13 November 2012 |
| Port Augusta (SA) | Wednesday, 14 November 2012 |
| Adelaide (SA) | Thursday, 15 November 2012 |
| Sydney (NSW) | Monday, 3 December 2012 |
| Brisbane (QLD) | Tuesday, 4 December 2012 |
| Cairns (QLD) | Wednesday, 5 December 2012 |
| Thursday Island (QLD) | Friday, 7 December 2012 |
| Broome (WA) | Monday, 10 December 2012 |
| Perth (WA) | Tuesday, 11 December 2012 |
| Dubbo (NSW) | Thursday, 13 December 2012 |
Next Steps
All feedback received through the community consultations and written submissions will be taken into consideration to develop the Health Plan.Minister Snowdon made a commitment with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities during the initial consultation process in 2012 to further community consultations which will inform the development of Implementation Plan/s. Information about these consultations will be made available on this website later in 2013 (consultations are likely to be scheduled shortly after the 2013 federal election).
Background
On 3 November 2011 Ministers Roxon and Snowdon announced the development of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (the Health Plan). The Health Plan will support the Government’s efforts to close the gap in life expectancy and infant mortality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader population.Development of the Health Plan will be led by the Minister for Indigenous Health. A Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) has been established to guide development of the Health Plan by bringing together government and organisations with expertise in Indigenous health and broader health issues. The SAG is co-Chaired by David Learmonth, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Ageing and Ms Jody Broun, co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
The Health Plan will replace the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health which expires in 2013. The Plan will be developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The success of the Health Plan depends on the participation of people and organisations in the community. The development process will allow the opportunity for community views to be heard and considered. Individuals, groups and organisations with an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health are invited to participate.
Media Releases
Views sought on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan.Should you require further information please email NATSIHP enquiries.Top of Page
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