15.45 million for major capital works in First Nations communities

Ten new major capital works projects will improve health infrastructure in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country.

Projects include building and renovating clinics, constructing houses for health workers, improving ventilation and cooling in clinics and building the overall capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS).

More than $15 million will be provided to successful applicants through today’s announcement of Round 1 of the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme – Closing the Gap – Major Capital Works (MCW) program.

These projects are the first of the 52 grants which were announced at the Joint Council on Closing the Gap last December, totalling more than a $120 million investment.

The existing stock of ACCHS infrastructure is between 20-40 years old and in significant need of repair, reconstruction and/or enhancement.

Ongoing rounds of capital works will provide better care for First Nations patients and attract and retain essential health workers in some of the most remote communities in Australia.

Deteriorating and inadequate infrastructure can compromise service delivery, pose safety risks for patients and staff, and inhibit efforts to attract workers.

Best practice clinical care can also be compromised by the inability to accommodate an increase in patients and deliver multidisciplinary integrated care.

The grants have been co-designed in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (NACCHO) on behalf of the ACCHS sector.

Once completed, the projects will provide First Nations people with culturally safe care in quality surroundings, particularly in remote and very remote locations.

Details about the successful applicants and project descriptions are attached bellow.

Quotes attributable to Minister Burney

“This significant investment demonstrates the Albanese government’s commitment to Closing the Gap and giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people better access to health care, no matter where they live.”

“This funding will support Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in their important work to deliver culturally safe and appropriate health care to First Nations peoples.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McCarthy:

“Making sure First Nations people have access to quality and safe health care is our government’s priority and it’s an essential part of Closing the Gap.”

“We can’t have good health outcomes without good infrastructure and these capital upgrades will go a long way in providing better outcomes for patients, health workers and the wider community.”

“Around half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people get their health care through an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, and in many rural and remote areas this is the only available option.”

“This investment will increase access to primary health care services through safe and accessible, fit-for-purpose health infrastructure.”

Quotes attributable to Pat Turner AM, CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Lead Convener, Coalition of Peaks:

“I am pleased to see that this funding is being delivered in line with the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, where programs and services are developed in genuine partnerships with our people and funding is invested to build the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.”

“This funding supports the critical role that ACCHOs play and the contribution they make every day in improving health outcomes for our people.”

“The infrastructure funding need in our sector remains a critical pressure-point and NACCHO will continue to advocate for increased funding for our sector.”