GPDV works to support increased access to General Practice Aboriginal communities in Victoria in collaboration with, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (VACCHO) and the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV). Our work in this area is underpinned by our recognition of  the following principles:

1. Improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people will only be achieved when Aboriginal people and their community controlled health services are empowered to act on their own behalf and when adequate resources are available for both services and infrastructure.
   
2. Aboriginal peoples have a fundamental right of ownership over their own knowledge and information
   
3. Improved health will primarily result from decisions about priorities and strategies developed and implemented at the local level and at a state level via VACCHO through local Aboriginal community health plans and the statewide planning process.
   
4. Programs concerned with Aboriginal health issues in Victoria must be developed in partnership with local ACCHSs.
   
5. Adequate resources and support are needed to facilitate the maximum input from ACCHSs to ensure effective partnerships can be developed with divisions.

These principles along with protocols for divisions to follow for consultation and collaboration with Victorian Aboriginal community controlled healths services are contained with a Memorandum of Understanding between GPDV and VACCHO.  For further information contact Lesley Czulowski, Program Consultant: l.czulowski@gpdv.com.au.

See also:

• Department of Human Services - Aboriginal Services Plan - January 2004
  Click here to download the services plan. (542KB)
  
• Partnerships: to view the MoU between GPDV and VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation)
  
• Partnerships: to view the MoU between GPDV and RWAV (Rural Workforce Agency Victoria)
  
• VACCHO Current Workforce and Future  Needs Analysis
  Website: http://www.rwav.com.au/sysfiles/publication/G12-9CurrentWrkfrc&FtrNeed.pdf
  
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
  Website: http://www.vaccho.com.au
  
• The Needs of GPs and Registrars Working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
  Website: http://www.racgp.org.au/document.asp?id=7992
  
• Aboriginal Primary Health Care: An Evidence Based Approach
  Edited by Sophie Couzos, Public Health Officer, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and Richard Murray, Medical Director, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council. Second Edition, November 2003.  ISBN: 0-19-551619-2
  Available in hard copy from Oxford University Press - website: http://au.oup.com/searchbuy/
  
• EPC Indigenous Health: to view the page under the Enhanced Primary Care Program relating to Aboriginal Health.