Aboriginal Health

Our vision

Aboriginal people living long, well and healthy lives.

What do we do?

The Aboriginal Health Policy Directorate (AHPD), within WA Health, is responsible for developing statewide Aboriginal health policy and facilitating a collaborative and coordinated approach within WA Health’s public health system, to improve health outcomes for all Aboriginal people living in Western Australia.

The AHPD:

• provides strategic leadership, Aboriginal health policy advice and cultural input on matters which directly and indirectly impact Aboriginal health outcomes.
• has a key role leading the WA Aboriginal health agenda through membership with national representative committees.

The AHPD works in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service sector, other areas of government and the non-government sector, to achieve state and national commitments to improve Aboriginal health.

AHPD’s purpose is to:

• promote ‘Aboriginal health is everyone’s business’ by encouraging all areas of WA Health to embed Aboriginal business into key policy and planning
• develop, implement, and evaluate system-level strategic policy aimed at improving Aboriginal health outcomes and addressing inequity
• support the health system to be accountable and responsive in approaches to perform against Aboriginal health indicators
• monitor and analyse evidence-based Aboriginal health data and information to inform system policy, planning and practice
• work with key stakeholders to build system capacity to embed culturally safe structures, policies and processes.

Our intent

AHPD aims to:

• improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people living in Western Australia.
• create strategic partnerships to improve the development and management of culturally appropriate health services for Aboriginal people.
• lead systemic change to achieve substantive equity for Aboriginal people which ultimately contribute towards healthy and sustainable communities.
• support a financially sustainable health care system which focuses on preventative health and wellbeing.
• increase Aboriginal consumer, carer and community involvement to enhance access and delivery of culturally appropriate health services.
• provide a cultural lens on WA Health’s strategic activities.

AHPD works with the metropolitan and country health services to:

• build the capacity of the WA health system, address gaps in service delivery and incorporate Aboriginal people’s needs into all aspects of health system planning and program development.
• embed Aboriginal health across all areas of health – primary, secondary and tertiary.
• strengthen efforts across Aboriginal health service areas and influence decision making processes at the highest level.
• provide strategic high-level advice, planning and policy reform to primary, secondary and tertiary health services at both government and non-government levels.
• foster strong working relationships between the national, state and regional health jurisdictions.
• grow a strong Aboriginal workforce and develop Aboriginal leaders within the health system to achieve measurable outcomes in the health of Aboriginal people.
• bring together current Aboriginal health efforts across WA and set out clear directions for the future.
• establish management, accountability mechanisms and reporting requirements within WA Health.
• identify what WA Health can do in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services sector and communities and other areas of government and the non-government sector, to achieve the State and Australian Government’s commitment to improve Aboriginal health.
• provide consultation and advice on strategic planning in the areas of safety and quality in healthcare, public health and hospitals.