Links

Wednesday 6 November 2002, Media Release

NSWALC CRITICISES COMMONWEALTH HEALTH FUNDING

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) today criticised the Commonwealth Government for a lack of commitment to improving Aboriginal health and refusing to fund one of the most successful and productive Aboriginal health services in NSW.

Speaking at the opening of the new Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre in Wyong today, NSWALC Councillor for the Sydney /Newcastle Region and Chairperson of the governing body for the centre, the Yerin Aboriginal Health Services Inc, slammed the Commonwealth Government for refusing to fund the centre which assists a clientele of 3500 Aboriginal people on the Central Coast.

Ms Graf said the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre, which was established in 1995 with seed funding from the Central Coast Division of General Practise, receives assistance from NSW Health Department. However, the Commonweath has rejected all requests for funding.

"We have proved our ability to establish and run an efficient and targeted health service for Aboriginal people. In fact, the Australian Department of Health and Aging, which is responsible for Aboriginal health in Australia, uses our service as a model. However, they still refuse us funding," Ms Graf said.

"While doctors at Commonwealth-funded Aboriginal Medical Services are paid, ours work for only the Medicare rebate. This proves the dedication of our staff and medical professionals and the empty rhetoric of the Commonwealth Government when it comes to improving Aboriginal health."

The Central Coast has the fastest growing Aboriginal population in NSW and the Eleanor Duncan Health Service assists an average of 40 clients a day.

Ms Graf said that the centre was directly responsible for a marked improvement in Aboriginal health on the Central Coast.

"For example - before the establishment of the service, 9/10 Aboriginal kids on the Central Coast had hearing problems which in turn resulted in speech and general education difficulties. Due to our school screening program for Glue Ear through our OTITIS Media Worker, Bev Bunting, we were thrilled that the figures for hearing problems amongst children were reduced to only 1/10," Ms Graf said.

"Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding and recognition from Commonwealth Government, problems are back on the increase following the discontinuing of the school screening program."

Apart from medical services and the hearing clinics for children and Elders, the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre provides eye testing, diabetes education, drug and alcohol counselling, employs a domestic violence worker and has recently gained funding from DOCS to be a supplier of emergency relief and also is a point for people to drop in and meet other Aboriginal people.

The purchase of the new building was funded by the NSW Department of Health through the Central Coast Area Health Service, which also supports the centre with funding and services.

The new Yerin Aboriginal Health Centre will be officially opened by the NSW Minister for Health, Craig Knowles, at a ceremony at 2.30pm today in Wyong today.

In attendance at the opening will be the Minister for Health, Craig Knowles, the Member for Wyong, Paul Crittenden, the Chairperson of the Yerin Aboriginal Health Services Incorporated, Veronica Graf, Secretary of Yerin Aboriginal Health Services Inc and CEO of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Mr Jeffrey Bradford, CEO of Central Coast Health, Mr Jon Blackwell and Otitis Media Coordinator, Bev Bunting.

Darkinjung Elder, Mr Lesley Nixon, will open the ceremony with a Welcome to Country and entertainment will be provided by Aboriginal dances.