Workforce Development

The Workforce Development Officer (WDO) provides support, advocacy and networking opportunities to Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers (AHLOs).

This includes:

• Providing high quality individual support and information to all AHWs and AHLOs
• Facilitating regular and high quality forums for AHWs through the Aboriginal Primary Health Care Workers Forum (APHCWF)
• Maintaining and monitoring the state network of AHLOs

The aim of the Aboriginal Primary Health Care Workers (APHCWs) is to:

• Promote the professional identity and unity of APHCWs
• Provide support and advocacy for APHCWs
• Promote and acknowledge the diversity of Aboriginal culture when delivering health services to the Aboriginal community
• Promote the sharing of resources, best practice and information through networking at all levels
• Represent the interests of APHCWs with equity
• Promote a commitment to the aims of the APHCWF
• Provide a cultural, professional, learning and working environment to empower APHCWs and services.

This program aims to rotate the locations of APHCWF meetings to incorporate rural and regional locations to allow as many APHCWF members as possible to attend, give AHWs in that location the opportunity to attend, and for APHCWF members to visit the health service in different members’ areas.

 Rural AHW Program

The Rural Aboriginal Health Worker Program (RAHWP) is vital to ensure primary health care delivery for the Aboriginal community level in rural areas where a community controlled Aboriginal health service does not exist.

AHCSA continues to monitor and manage the funds and administration associated with this program including negotiation and liaison with mainstream country hospitals and health services.

Historically, this program employs 12 AHWs in the Riverland, Mount Gambier, Oodnadatta, Whyalla, Point Pearce, Raukkan, Murray Bridge, and Meningie.

The establishment of one country region and Country Health SA Local Health Network has introduced some positive outcomes for the management of this program.

AHCSA is working towards one funding and service agreement with CHSALHN to cover all AHW positions.

 Aboriginal Primary Health Care Workers Forum

The Aboriginal Primary Health Care Workers Forum is a subcommittee of AHCSA which supports Aboriginal Health Workers, Substance Misuse Workers and Hospital Liaison Officers.

The Forum has 17 members who represent Aboriginal Health Workers in all organisations, health centres and hospitals throughout South Australia.

Members come from the following regions:

• Nganampa Health Service
• Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc.
• Umoona Tjutagku Health Service
• Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc.
• Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service
• Pika Wiya Health Service
• Ceduna/Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service
• Tullawon Health Service
• Riverland
• Hills Mallee Southern
• Metropolitan 1 (Southern) – Noarlunga Health Village
• Metropolitan 2 (Central Northern) – Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
• Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers – Queen Elizabeth Hospital
• Oak Valley Health Service
• AHCSA Rural APHCW Program, South East and Wakefield Region.

Meetings are generally held four times a year, and venues are rotated around the State to provide the opportunity for Aboriginal Health Workers from every health service to attend and participate.

If you would like a List of Members and Member Responsibilities, or further information email Karen Wyld.

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers Network

The Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers Network convenes regular meetings with representatives from the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, and the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

For more information, please email Karen Wyld or phone 08 8273 7200.