Indigenous health workers engender national pride

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners are a source of national pride.

That’s the message from National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners’ Chief Executive Officer, Karl Briscoe, who was keynote speaker at the North West Indigenous Health Professionals annual dinner in Mount Isa.

They are the only culturally-based health workforce with national training and registration in the world.

There is evidence that work by both professions is improving health outcomes across the life course of their people, according to Mr Briscoe.

“We are a standalone primary health care profession, which was established by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in response to their need for accessible and culturally safe health care,” he said.

“Our professions have no mainstream equivalents and play a unique and critical role in ensuring Australia's health care system meets the needs of our people.

“Our workforces restore trust, act as health system navigators and the bridge between the community and health service, we deliver culturally safe care, play a role in early intervention and prevention, improve access to health care services and our peoples' experience.”

During the night Mount Isa first year student nurse Lauren Ah-One was recognised for winning the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health Award at the James Cook University annual Indigenous Student Awards.

We organised the annual Indigenous Health Professionals' dinner to celebrate the wonderful work of many health workers who are improving client outcomes in our communities.