Time to do Something Real in Indigenous Health
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, is encouraging nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other health practitioners to consider extending their careers to help provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across Australia.
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9 August 2011
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, today encouraged nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other health practitioners to consider extending their careers to help provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across Australia.
Mr Snowdon said a new website (Do Something Real website) has been developed to share the inspiring stories of those already working to improve the health care available and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of remote health.
“Working in Indigenous health can be very rewarding and challenging. Real stories by real people are shared on the website and include how doctors have helped a young boy to hear again, women overcome weight issues and people avoid the effects of diabetes,” he said.
Regular updates are provided by Dr Hugh Heggie who moved to Darwin after 20 years as a GP in Victoria. He now flies up to 1500km each week providing health care to remote communities in the Territory and also helps train and supervise new practitioners.
Do Something Real is part of a wider initiative aimed at increasing the number of health practitioners contributing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and to encourage tertiary students to pursue a career in this area.
“Building an appropriately trained and resourced workforce in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is critical to achieving lasting improvement in people’s health and wellbeing,” he said.
Mr Snowdon said the Government is committed to tackling chronic disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and this initiative aims at encouraging more professionals to take up the challenge and offer their expertise on the ground.
“I encourage existing health professionals and final year students studying health and medicine, to go to the Do Something Real website, read the stories and explore employment opportunities that are available. This includes paid employment and volunteer work.
“Whether you can take up work for the short or long-term, you can make a real difference in creating a healthier future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” he said.
For more information, register today at the Do Something Real website.
Media inquiries: Mr Snowdon’s office (02) 6277 7820
Department of Health and Ageing Media: 02 6289 7400
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