Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
The RFDS is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people who live and work in rural and remote communities across Australia through the provision of emergency and primary health care services. A key target group in these communities is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have a generally poor health status and present enormous challenges in terms of providing effective and culturally appropriate services.
A specific RFDS initiative has been the creation of positions with the RFDS for Aboriginal Health Personnel which maximises effective engagement with Aboriginal people and communities and provides a cultural conduit between the RFDS and the challenging context in which it operates.
It has long been recognised that the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is of a standard considerably lower than that of non-indigenous Australians.
The RFDS has an important role to play in addressing the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Currently the RFDS provides emergency and transport services and general practice, child and maternal health, mental health and women's health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities and rural support towns around Australia.