6 March 2023
Local service delivery for primary health care in Imanpa and Yulara will be transferred to an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) has this month assumed operations of the primary health care clinics in Imanpa and Yulara.
Congress already provides care at nearby Mutitjulu, an Aboriginal community adjacent to Uluru, as well as other communities.
One of the most experienced services in the country in Aboriginal health, Congress is the largest ACCHS in the Northern Territory, a national leader in primary health care, and a strong advocate for the health of Aboriginal people.
Yulara will become a service hub for the region and, in Imanpa, NT health will continue providing BreastScreen appointments along with other specialist outreach services.
The Kaltukatjara (Docker River) Health Centre will also transition to Congress on 1 July, 2023.
Evidence shows that increasing community involvement in the planning and delivery of local health services brings additional health benefits to local residents.
This supports local communities with greater opportunities to influence the health care services offered, in particular, their cultural responsiveness.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
"Local Decision Making is the Territory Labor Government's commitment to provide opportunities to transfer government service delivery to Aboriginal people.
"Congress and NT Health have worked in partnership to transition operations to Aboriginal community control in Imanpa in line with community needs and local decision making. NT Health will continue to provide support in the community, including visiting specialist services such as paediatrics and BreastScreen NT.
"Yulara is also set to benefit from Congress assuming operations, as it becomes a service hub for the region."
Quotes attributed to the Member for Gwoja, Chansey Paech:
"We know how important it is to have the very best health care accessible to Territorians, whether they live in the bush, or in the city.
"Congress managing the health clinics will bring greater health outcomes for community members."
Quotes attributed to Congress CEO, Donna Ah Chee:
"Congress is proud to welcome Imanpa and Yulara communities to the Aboriginal community controlled health service model.
"Aboriginal community controlled health service delivery is recognised as best practice for Aboriginal health, and the further development of the ACCHS sector is a key part of the Closing the Gap commitments that all governments have signed. This is because, for every dollar spent there is a greater return in health improvement for our people with this model of health care.
"ACCHSs are better able to provide Aboriginal people with the services that are most needed, when they are most needed and ensure cultural responsiveness; including providing greater Aboriginal employment.
"We are pleased to have worked closely with local community members, and with NT Health, to ensure this transition is smooth and that community voices are heard. We proudly welcome this region into the Aboriginal community controlled health services network."
Northern Territory Government
