LIMECONNECTION III 2-4 December 2009 Melbourne A/Prof Fred McConnel Ms Suzi Demos A/Prof Dean Carson

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education, and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

Education for health disciplines Recruitment Retention Courses for some remote practitioners Preparation inappropriate & inadequate Turnover The Recruitment – Retention Trap Wrong Paradigm!

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

NORTHERN TERRITORY Local Government Areas Katherine Roper Gulf Shire Darwin Map Ref: a/assets/pdf_file/0015/39003/lgshires_ simple.pdf a/assets/pdf_file/0015/39003/lgshires_ simple.pdf

Katherine East covers an area of 143,110 km squared and has a 0.03 Indigenous population density. It is slightly larger than Sunrise operational area. The total Indigenous population for Katherine East as at 2006 was 3,687 representing 74.8% of the total population within the OATSIH Planning Region (OPR). According to the ASGC Remoteness Category Katherine East has a 6.5% remote rating and a 93.5% very remote rating OATSIH Regional Planning – NT Indigenous Health Partnership Forum Consultation Document ABS 2006 Indigenous Data K ATHERINE E AST OPR

Bulman Wugularr Barunga Werenbun Mataranka Jilkminggan Minyerri Ngukurr Urapunga Katherine SUNRISE HEALTH SERVICE Operational area Area sq km Indigenous Population 3,687 Menyallaluk Map Ref: / Click.aspx?fileticket=gdY0FlK XMOA%3D&tabid=135&mid= 930&language=en- AUhttp:// nt.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pd f_file/0015/39003/lgshires_si mple.pdf / Click.aspx?fileticket=gdY0FlK XMOA%3D&tabid=135&mid= 930&language=en- AUhttp:// nt.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pd f_file/0015/39003/lgshires_si mple.pdf

build the strength of the community to engage in, and lead health activities develop the organisation’s support structures and systems to empower communities and extend services at the community level and develop a workforce to provide an increased range of services and deliver culturally appropriate community based programs Priorities in the Sunrise’ Strategic Plan – included :

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

Education for new jobs, and new relationships Priority 1 Empowerment of AHWs Reciprocal skills for non-indigenous health professionals - beyond Cultural Awareness Priority 2 New jobs, new courses, new curricula, articulated to Higher Education Priority 3 New University qualifications - eg, Physician Assistant

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

Learning in Context - in teams - in the community workplace -Remote area education provider or hub -Essential for sustainability

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

Conditions for Success Funding for alternative paradigm Aboriginal professionals in control, and giving continuity Education as core business of health service Empowerment of AHWs, and reciprocal training for non-indigenous workers New courses for new jobs working differently Learning in Context

The Problem - Failure to improve remote Aboriginal health Education and the ‘Recruitment – Retention Trap’ An Aboriginal centred, culture-based paradigm – workforce changes Education for new jobs, and new relationships Learning in context Conditions for success Summary

Thank You