New funding to strengthen Aboriginal women’s health workforce

A NEW grant program will support up to 50 Aboriginal health clinicians to upskill in women’s health, as part of a broader push to improve culturally safe care for First Nations women and girls across Victoria.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the $300,000 initiative at the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum in Ballarat on Wednesday last week.

The program will provide one-off grants of up to $5,000 for clinicians working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

The grants aim to strengthen the Aboriginal women’s health workforce by helping clinicians build skills in sexual, reproductive and general women’s health care.

“We know that when we listen to Aboriginal Victorians, we get the best health outcomes,” Thomas said.

“These grants will upskill 50 clinicians right around Victoria – equipping them with the tools, confidence and skills they need to provide the very best care to First Nations women.”

The program is being delivered through the Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).

VACCHO chief executive Dr Jill Gallagher said the investment would embed cultural safety and self-determination into care for First Nations women.

“Aboriginal women know what our communities need and these grants will help to build and strengthen the Aboriginal women’s health workforce embedding cultural safety and better care,” Dr Gallagher said.

“Self-determination in Aboriginal women’s health care is the only way we can ensure we keep our mothers, aunties, sisters and daughters safe, healthy and thriving for generations to come.”

The funding forms part of the Victorian government’s $153 million women’s health package, which includes 20 new women’s health clinics, a mobile and virtual clinic program, and a dedicated Aboriginal women’s health clinic.