Check out what’s happening at Nidjalla!
Words: Peel Development Commission | Video: Produced by Coastal Content Co for Nidjalla Waangan Mia
The Peel Development Commission and City of Mandurah are supporting Nidjalla Waangan Mia to become an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO). Nidjalla is currently run by GP down south but they have agreed to transition the service to a local Aboriginal Corporation over the next couple of years.
Nidjalla Waangan Mia (NWM) Aboriginal Health Service is an existing health and wellbeing centre that has been serving the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Bindjareb region (Mandurah, Pinjarra, Waroona, Yarloop, and North Dandalup) since 2010. It provides culturally appropriate health services and has been administered by GP Down South, a not-for-profit community organisation that is not Aboriginal-controlled.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap prioritises Aboriginal control over services delivered to Aboriginal people. As a result, changes to state and commonwealth government procurement of Aboriginal health services offer an opportunity for the local community to establish an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) that provides culturally appropriate, locally community-controlled health services.
Nidjalla Waangan Mia is a well-established and highly respected health centre in Mandurah, serving the health needs of nearly 2,000 active Aboriginal clients. The local elders and GP Down South have collaboratively determined that transitioning the service to Aboriginal Community Control is a timely move which will ultimately result in improved self determination and health outcomes for the Bindjareb community.
Consultation with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has been undertaken over the last six months. The results indicate strong support for transitioning Nidjalla Waangan Mia to an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
By establishing an ACCHO, we can provide culturally appropriate primary healthcare for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, which will lead to better health outcomes and help achieve closing the gap targets.
MORE INFORMATION
Download the FAQ document to learn more.
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