The Efficient Delivery of Quality Services - State Budget 2014-15: Funding to continue Closing the Gap work

• $30.3million to continue Closing the Gap work in 2014-15

• Another $2million from general health budget

• More than 100 dedicated Aboriginal health services to be delivered under new WA Footprints to Better Health Strategy

• Focus on prevention, early intervention and self-care

The State Government has announced funding of $30.3million to continue and build on the work already undertaken to close the gap in life expectancy for Aboriginal people.

Health Minister Kim Hames has also directed that $2million from the general health budget be allocated to the Footprints to Better Health Strategy (FBH), bringing the total to $32.3million.

Speaking at the WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector Conference today, Dr Hames said the new Western Australian FBH would build on work done under two programs started as part of the Federal-State National Partnership Agreements.

"Footprints combines the two programs - Closing the Gap (CTG) in Aboriginal Health and the Indigenous Early Childhood Development (IECD) programs, and will promote the critical role that prevention, early intervention and self-care play in good health outcomes," the Minister said.

"The program will increase access to quality health care, improve services and create jobs for Aboriginal people in health care.

"Since 2009, significant efforts and resources have been invested in improving health outcomes and reducing the life expectancy gap and, while a lot has been achieved, much remains to be done, and the new Footprints Strategy provides a framework for continuing this work."

The State Government's $30.3milion investment in this strategy in 2014-15 builds on the $148.8million committed towards improving health outcomes for the State's Aboriginal people between 2009 and 2014, which is the single largest investment in Aboriginal health made by any Western Australian Government.

The year's funding will enable the delivery of dedicated Aboriginal health services, addressing six strategic areas of reform using culturally secure models of care.

Footprints will target:

• improving maternal and child health, giving Aboriginal babies a healthy start to life

• the health of young people and the issues associated with a healthy transition to adulthood

• assisting Aboriginal people to make healthy lifestyles choices which incorporates addressing the social determinants of health

• chronic disease early intervention and self-management - over 80 per cent of the life expectancy gap for Aboriginal Australians is attributed to chronic health conditions such as diabetes, circulatory and respiratory disease

• continuity of care to ensure Aboriginal people receive access to timely  and culturally appropriate care

• culturally appropriate mental health care - through the State-wide Specialist Aboriginal Mental Health Service, overseen by the Mental Health Commission.

         Fact File

• A 2012 WA report 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework' indicated that, between 2005 and 2007, life expectancy at birth for Aboriginal people in WA was 65 years for males compared to 79 for non-Aboriginal males, and 70.4 years for females compared to 82.9 years for non-Aboriginal females

• The same report identifying progress towards meeting the 'Closing the Gap' target, found a 35% decline in overall mortality in WA (33% nationally) from 1991 to 2010 and a 17% decline in avoidable mortality from 1997 to 2010

Minister's office - 6552 5300