Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal Health in East Gippsland
- Project: East Gippsland Aboriginal Health Careers: Supporting Koorie students to access health professional training and employment
- Amount: $28,500
- Year(s) Funded: 2016
Building and supporting an Aboriginal health workforce in East Gippsland
Aboriginal people are more likely to engage with the health system if they have access to culturally appropriate services and Aboriginal health professionals. East Gippsland has the second largest Indigenous population in rural Victoria yet there are no Aboriginal doctors and very few nurses or other health practitioners in the region. CEAHEG’s strategy targets local Indigenous school students to provide them with information, advice and encouragement on careers in health.
“We are making our vision a reality”. Dr Doris Paton, Chairperson CEAHEG
Based on extensive research and consultation, the Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal Health in East Gippsland (CEAHEG) has developed a community-led strategy for building and supporting an Aboriginal Health workforce through strategic engagement with Koorie school students considering their career options. The aim is to build the number of Indigenous health practitioners in the region and, ultimately, close the significant health gap experienced by the local Aboriginal population compared to that of the non-Aboriginal population.
- HMSTrust’s grant enabled CEAHEG to expand its capacity and increase the Co-ordinator’s role from one to four days per week.
- Delivery of the “Just Looking@Careers in Health” program involves young Aboriginal Year 8 and 9 students at secondary schools in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Orbost through workshops and camps.
- The overall Aboriginal Health Careers strategy is delivered in collaboration with a range of partners through school-based programs, information and support for parents, student mentoring, and development of training and work placements.