Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Affairs Warren Snowdon has expressed concern for the continued delivery of health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Sydney following reports of the closure of the Aboriginal Medical Service in Mt Druitt.
The Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney has provided primary health care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for more than twenty eight years, Mr Snowdon said.
The closure is expected to affect around 11,000 patients who access the Aboriginal community controlled health service.
Based in Mount Druitt, the community across Western Sydneyhas an expectation that health services continue to be provided by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service into the future.
Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has told the Federal Government it was crucial it observe a number of critical priorities relating to the service.
In representing my concerns to the Abbott Government, Ive argued its got to prioritise the need for: continued, uninterrupted service to the community; protection of jobs for the 90 people looking after the health needs of 11,000 patients; and more importantly that it be an Aboriginal community controlled health service.
The continuation of the provision of culturally appropriate primary health care services from an Aboriginal service provider must remain a key priority for the Government.
Mr Snowdon said, It is essential that the Commonwealth Government work constructively with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council NSW and the existing provider to ensure the continuation of Aboriginal health services to the region.
SATURDAY, 4 JULY 2015