Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet Kellyplace for Aboriginal community people to meet in the North East suburbs, andaccess social and emotional well being and health programs (Communityconsultations 2005; Gilles Plains Community Health Centre 2004). TheDepartment of Health committed to remodelling an old school building andcommunity members and health professionals began waiting and planning inanticipation.In 2002 the Aboriginal Young Mothers’ Group was discontinued due tochanging policies in Child and Youth Health (moving from group programs touniversal home visiting) and the passing of Aboriginal health careresponsibility to the Aboriginal Neighbourhood House. Delays in thedevelopment of the Aboriginal Neighbourhood House meant that localAboriginal people fell into a gap in service provision. The AboriginalReference Group was dismantled due to complex issues and the loss of Elders.Community health staff invited local Aboriginal women to attend otherestablished groups at the campus during these changes (Stark & Coulls 2007).Meanwhile, significant changes were occurring in the state health department.The incoming Labour Government instigated a Generational Health Reviewwith a stated policy commitment to comprehensive primary health care(Government of South Australia 2003c). The health system was restructuredinto three main urban regions and managers were moved into new positions.This was a time of great unrest within the health system. The Gilles PlainsCommunity Campus became part of the Central Northern Adelaide HealthService (CNAHS). Curiously, although the policies declared a commitment tocomprehensive primary health care as described in the Alma Ata Declaration(World Health Organisation 1978), community health services found that theywere being asked by higher level managers to provide selective primary carewith specifically focused health programs (Community consultations 2005).This situation highlights the complexity of influences and interplay betweenfederal selective primary care funding and a state focus on comprehensiveprimary health care.Alongside these changes, a partnership between Nunkuwarrin Yunti(community controlled heath service) and the South Australian Department ofHealth was focused on future utilisation of the national Aboriginal Primary324