- Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP) profession introduced to WA Health
- Two Aboriginal Health Practitioners employed at Rockingham General Hospital
- Marks the start of the roll-out of AHPs across the public health system
The first Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHP) to join WA Health have been appointed at South Metropolitan Health Service’s Rockingham General Hospital (RGH).
The two AHPs support Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people who present to Rockingham General Hospital’s emergency department with acute and urgent illness and injury.
The AHP role is an important addition to highly skilled multi-disciplinary teams that provide quality clinical care to patients across Western Australia. AHPs can provide clinical and primary healthcare, as well as case management and care planning.
The appointments are the start of the roll-out of AHPs across WA Health and mark further progress on a Sustainable Health Review recommendation.
The Cook Government committed $3.6 million to establish the role in WA Health, with the investment supported by a State-wide consultation process led by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
AHPs are now nationally accredited and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
WA Health is working closely with Aboriginal community-controlled health services and Aboriginal registered training organisations to increase the number of AHPs to continue to grow this important speciality in the workforce.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“The new Aboriginal Health Practitioner speciality will help improve the delivery of culturally appropriate care at our hospitals.
“AHPs can provide clinical and primary healthcare, as well as case management and care planning, making this role an important addition to highly skilled multi-disciplinary teams within our public health service.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“Aboriginal Western Australians experience a significant gap in life expectancy compared to other Australians and the Cook Government continues to look at ways we can help address this gap.
“It is important our emergency departments are places where First Nations people feel comfortable and supported and the new AHP role will greatly assist with this.”
As stated by Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall:
“Rockingham General Hospital is integral to the healthcare landscape of our community and the Cook Government is committed to ensuring it continues to meet the needs of patients now and into the future.
“It is fantastic that RGH is the first hospital to welcome two Aboriginal Health Practitioner appointments.”
