A Better Start for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Babies and Children
A report released by the Australian National Audit office has confirmed that the New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services program is being effectively administered to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their children.
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29 May 2012
A report released today by the Australian National Audit office (ANAO) has confirmed that the New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services program is being effectively administered to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their children.
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, welcomed the report which found that overall the Department of Health and Ageing had been effective in the administration of the program.
“The New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services will help up to 11,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and their mothers to receive the best possible care for a healthy birth,” Mr Snowdon said.
“New Directions has funded more than 80 programs to increase comprehensive mothers and babies services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers.”
“These organisations have expertise in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and work to improve the access that mothers have to antenatal and postnatal care. They also provide support and advice to mothers on other important child health issues such as immunisation, breastfeeding and nutrition.
“Health care is being provided to young families throughout the child’s first years of life. This includes health checks and referrals for treatment before they start school, if necessary, to ensure their ability to learn is not impeded by health concerns.”
Mr Snowdon said work is also underway to address the audit’s single recommendation that the Department of Health and Ageing strengthen measures to monitor the delivery of these services and determine whether use of services is improving in-line with the program’s objectives.
New Directions is an important part of the Council of Australian Government’s commitment to halve the gap in mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children within a decade.
“The investment in the health of the nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is an investment in the future of Australia,” Mr Snowdon said.
For a copy of the ANAO report, please see: ANAO Report
A list of all New Directions Mothers and Babies Services funded through this initiative is attached.
For more information, contact Mr Snowdon’s Office on 02 6277 7820
Organisations approved for funding under New Directions Mothers and Babies Services*
Organisation Name |
|---|
Australian Capital Territory |
| Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service |
New South Wales |
| Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney Cooperative |
| Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Cooperative |
| Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre |
| Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation |
| Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service |
| Griffith Aboriginal Community Medical Service Incorporated |
| Hunter New England Local Health Network |
| Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NSW) Limited |
| North West Slopes (NSW) Division of General Practice |
| Orange Aboriginal Health Service |
| Riverina Medical & Dental Aboriginal Corporation |
| South Eastern Sydney Local Health Network - Royal Hospital for Women |
| South Coast Women’s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda) |
| Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Network – Southern Hospitals Network |
| South Western Sydney Local Health Network |
| Sydney Local Health Network |
| Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation |
| Yerin Aboriginal Health Service |
Northern Territory |
| Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation |
| Central Australian Aboriginal Congress |
| Danila Dilba Health Services |
| Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation |
| Laynhapuy Homelands Assoc Inc |
| Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation |
| Northern Territory Department of Health |
| Pintubi Homelands Health Service |
| Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation |
| Western Arrente Health Aboriginal Corporation |
| Willowra Yuendumu Nyirripi (WYN) |
| Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service |
Queensland |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Mackay |
| Apunipima Cape York Health Council Aboriginal Corporation |
| Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health |
| Darling Downs Shared Care (T/A Carbal Medical Centre) |
| Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation |
| Inala Indigenous Health Service |
| Institute for Urban Indigenous Health |
| Kambu Medical Centre (initial funding to Ipswich West Moreton Division of General Practice) |
| Mamu Health Service |
| Mookai Rosie Bi Bayan |
| Mount Isa Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service |
| Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre |
| North and West Queensland Primary Health Care Assn (including RFDS) |
| Queensland Health - Torres Strait |
| Townsville General Practice Network |
| Wuchopperen Health Services Ltd |
South Australia |
| Country Health SA (Port Augusta) |
| Country Health SA (Ceduna) |
| Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service |
| Tullawon Health Service |
Tasmania |
| Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation |
| Department of Health and Human Services |
| Flinders Island Aboriginal Association |
| North West Tasmania Division of General Practice Incorporated |
| Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre |
Victoria |
| Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative |
| Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative |
| Mercy Public Hospital |
| Mildura Aboriginal Corporation |
| Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation |
| Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative |
Western Australia |
| Bega Garnbirringu Health Service |
| Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service |
| Marwarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation |
| Ngaanyatjarra Health Service |
| Ngunytju Tjitji Aboriginal Corporation |
| Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service |
| Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation |
| Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service |
| Western Australian Country Health Service |
| Wirraka Maya Health Service |
| Yura Yungi Medical Service |
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