NACCHO Annual Report 2014

Investing in Aboriginal Community ControlledHealth Makes Economic SenseIn April 2014 NACCHO Chairperson launched the Report ‘Investing in Aboriginal CommunityControlled Health Services Makes Economic Sense’. The Report was launched to a packed room at theNational Press Club with live national coverage on ABC TV and Radio along with other media articles.The Report found that ACCHS deliver not only health gains, but also substantial economic gains. TheACCHS network of clinics, community health centres and health-based co-operatives throughoutAustralia generates substantial economic value for Aboriginal people and their communities.ACCHS are a large-scale employer of Aboriginal people. This provides real income and economicindependence for many people. They contribute enormously to raising the education and skill levelsof the Aboriginal workforce.Findings outlined that investing in ACCHS is a good business proposition. It provides value for moneyand is highly cost-effective for four main reasons:1. ACCHS deliver primary health care that delivers resultsLike your local GP does but more effectively for Aboriginal people because the ACCHS modelcombines the best of clinical know-how with culturally enriched local knowledge and wisdom. It takescare of the whole person, not separate body parts.People work as part of a team that includes Aboriginal Health Workers, allied health, and social andemotional wellbeing counsellors in the front line. GPs as well, although not always. It runs healthpromotion and health screening to identify and treat health problems before they get serious.It organises access to medical specialists and hospitals if necessary. The ACCHS model considersindividuals and families as part of a community and it responds effectively to community-based needsand issues.This model of health care works for Aboriginal people. Evidence-based inquiries and reports show thatACCHS outperform mainstream services in terms of treatment and prevention. They reduce the needfor highly expensive hospital-based services. And they save lives.2. ACCHS employment boosts Aboriginal education and training levelsACCHS employ people with high skill levels. Most have tertiary level qualifications and several havemultiple qualifications. This increases the education and skill base of the Aboriginal workforce.Organisational pathways in ACCHS are based on continuing and further education. The message isthat ACCHS have education benefits. A single investment by government in ACCHS deals effectivelywith the two main problems in Aboriginal communities - high unemployment and low levels ofeducation.3. ACCHS provide a channel for regional employment and economic growthACCHS provide employment for over 5,000 people, and about 3,200 of these are Aboriginal people.They are the main source of employment in many communities. Employment generates incomewhich generates more jobs, more income, more investment and so on. The multiplier effects of anyadditional investment in ACCHS are substantial. They generate a range of local, regional and nationalhealth and cross-sector multiplier effects.Policy people take note. Strategies to close the gap in any one area will not work in isolation. Investingin ACCHS is highly effective in meeting government policy goals and targets for closing the gap.22NACCHO Annual Report 2014 internal.indd 225/11/14 11:16 AM