The AHF will be a guiding cultural tool for the District health services, said Ms Corina Kemp, Executive Manager Aboriginal Health and Community Relations
'The Aboriginal Health Framework brings together a stronger foundation for community connectedness through empowering the voice of Aboriginal people and their families,' she said.
'It also enables the LHD to continue to build on more effective and communicable partnerships in improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal people in the Far West.'
The AHF was developed in consultation with the key members of the Aboriginal community, LHD's Aboriginal health workforce and community Aboriginal health services, as well as other key partner organisations.
It recognises the importance of partnerships with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector (ACCHS), Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation (Maari Ma) and Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC), and outlines opportunities to strengthen partnership arrangements in consultation with these services.
Mr Umit Agis, Chief Executive Far West LHD, said the launch of the AHF was an exciting time for the District.
'This is the first time in history of the LHD we have developed an Aboriginal Health Framework. It's an overarching framework designed to guide the District health service to engage with our Aboriginal communities to provide services that are culturally relevant, appropriate and accessible,' he said.
Dr Andrew Refshauge, Chair of the Far West LHD Board, said improving health outcomes for indigenous people was one of the biggest challenges in Australia.
'We see this as a priority in the Far West. We want everybody in the Far West to have the best health care and to lead their best possible lives. This framework is a guide on how we approach it over the next decade,' said Dr Refshauge.
He thanked and congratulated everyone in the health service and community for their input in developing the AHF. 'We can't do it on our own, this has to be a collaborative effort.'
Ms Kemp said the AHF enables District staff to continue to build on cultural capabilities and capacity through awareness, and building skills and knowledge to ensure culturally appropriate, safe and effective services are delivered in collaboration and or support of partnering organisations.
'This will also help ensure key Aboriginal leaders within the District are a part of the development, planning and deliverance of services within communities of the Far West,' she said.
'We hope that the health services we deliver to our Aboriginal residents and their communities will be greatly improved and continue to deliver better health outcomes' Ms Kemp also thanked everyone for their involvement in the development of the AHF.
A feature of the AHF is the special commissioned logo, created by Corey Payne, a Paakintji/Wilyakali Aboriginal artist born and raised in the Far West of NSW, Broken Hill.
The log's background colour is a mixture that illustrates the colours of the Far West region and the centre circle represents the camp that illustrates holistic health care, connection to health, support and guidance. The eight circles illustrate the eight communities within the Far West LHD. A full explanation of the logo can be found in the AHF.
A 'soft copy' of the AHF has been launched today and printed copies will be forthcoming in the near future. The AHF can be downloaded from the Far West LHD's website at www.fwlhd.health.nsw.gov at http://fwlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/index.php?select1=Health%20Services&option=Aboriginal%20Health