This principle aims to:
“ We have a good partnership agreement in place with our LHD. It is based on everyone understanding their roles and responsibilities so that Aboriginal people can access culturally safe care.” ACCHO CEO, Community Controlled Consultation
“ We have a good partnership agreement in place with our LHD. It is based on everyone understanding their roles and responsibilities so that Aboriginal people can access culturally safe care.”
Genuine partnerships between NSW Health and ACCOs are critical to provide integrated and coordinated care to Aboriginal people in NSW.
This principle is underpinned by the recognition that:
“ LHDs need to recognise ACCHOs as experts and qualified people, and respect them for their knowledge in Aboriginal Health” ACCHO CEO, Community Controlled Consultation
“ LHDs need to recognise ACCHOs as experts and qualified people, and respect them for their knowledge in Aboriginal Health”
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are defined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap as an organisation that delivers services, including land and resource management, that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal communities and people and is:
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHOs) is a primary health care service initiated and operated by the local Aboriginal community to deliver holistic, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate health care to the community which controls it, through a locally elected Board of Management.
ACCOs have reported that they are not treated as equals by Government during decision making processes in the design and delivery of government policies and services, as reported in the 2024 Productivity Commission Review of CTG.
For this principle to be effectively implemented, it is critical that:
“ Our partnership [with our local ACCHO] works because we have a Memorandum of Understanding in place that has executive support and that is very operational and practical.” Aboriginal Health Director, NSW Health consultation
“ Our partnership [with our local ACCHO] works because we have a Memorandum of Understanding in place that has executive support and that is very operational and practical.”
NSW Health systems, processes and governance structures embed the role of ACCOs to enable shared decision making and strong partnership mechanisms to provide integrated and coordinated care and services to Aboriginal people in NSW. NSW Health has flexible and agile partnership mechanisms to partner with ACCOs to respond to and address emerging needs and challenges for Aboriginal people accessing health services.
Patient, carer, family and community
Program, ward and service management
Hospital and health facility
LHD/SHN management
NSW Health system management