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 collaboration 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 Islander people 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.
Key Partnerships
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council (NATSIHEC) advises the Australian Government on working towards the provision of equitable and sustainable health. NATSIHEC’s primary focus in 2012 and 2013 has been on the development of the Health Plan.A Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) was established to guide development of the Health Plan, by bringing together government and organisations with expertise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 People.
Discussion Paper
The Department developed a Discussion Paper to provide context and guidance throughout the consultation and submission process for 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.
Community 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, 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 youth to contribute their thoughts and experiences 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 |
Expert Forums
NATSIHEC hosted three forums to bring together experts from around Australia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream health and determinants of health. The meetings provided an opportunity to build the vision and identify the opportunities and risks that needed to be considered in developing the Health Plan.Themed Roundtables
On behalf of the SAG, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples hosted five thematic roundtables covering drug and alcohol, early childhood, health systems, cultural models and mental health. The roundtables were attended by expert individuals and organisations in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the social determinants of health. The purpose of the roundtables was to leverage constructive outcomes and recommendations on key issues to guide the development of the Health Plan.Next Steps
The Health Plan has been drafted based on feedback received through the extensive consultation process and advice received from NATSIHEC and SAG. The Health Plan is being considered by Government in July 2013, with implementation plans expected to be developed later in 2013.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.The Health Plan will replace the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health which expires in 2013.
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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