Pathways into the health workforce for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Eleanor Jackson Bowers, PHC RIS
This publication of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council (NATSIHC) provides advice to the Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory governments on maximising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the health workforce.
The report is based on a literature review, analysis of existing workforce data and consultation with policy, industry and academic stakeholders from the health and education sectors and peak Indigenous groups at a workshop held in November 2007 in Canberra. The project was undertaken by the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association, led by Dr Mark Wenitong.
The report makes many recommendations related to supporting students including improved career guidance, role modelling and mentorship, culturally appropriate information, financial and accommodation support and removing financial disincentives to study. The importance of culturally safe and inclusive curricula was stressed, together with a national accreditation and registration mechanism to assess the quality of training delivery. At a systems level the report recommendations include a review of the education and training pathways into the health workforce for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and the development of education transition programs, partnerships between stakeholder groups, a review of funding models and a national system for planning, target setting and monitoring progress.
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP Minister for Health and Ageing launched the Pathways report at the 2008 Fulbright Symposium in Adelaide on 10 th July where she stressed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health cannot be improved without the appropriate workforce and announced that the newly established National Indigenous Health Equality Council, to be chaired by Professor Ian Anderson, a leading researcher in Indigenous health, with Dr Mick Adams, Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, as deputy will have an ongoing role in progressing recommendations contained within the Blueprint for Action.
The Pathways report can be found on the website of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association at <http://www.aida.org.au/pathways.asp>
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