Mavis Gold, Vahid Saberi
The first State funded Aboriginal Medical Service in NSW was established in Casino (Dharah Gibinj) in 1999, after much planning and consultation. Northern Rivers Area Health Services (NRAHS), Rural NSW, funds this service over half a million dollars recurrent. This is a variation in funding and service delivery model to other Aboriginal Medical Services. The service is established as a non-governmental organisation with a contractual agreement with the Area Health Services. In addition, NRAHS runs and funds Aboriginal Health Posts. The health posts are run as outreach services by NRAHS staff. In terms of services delivery, Health Posts have good short-term outcomes. The AMS model, although in their short terms has teething challenges, generally has better long-term outcomes. This paper aims to examine the two models used for delivery of Aboriginal Health Services and highlight the short term and long terms outcomes. Two year after the establishment of Dharah Gibinj Casino Aboriginal Medical Service, the paper will highlight the outcomes and lessons learnt and compare the AMS model to Health Post Model of service delivery (Jali Health Post - Cabbage Tree Island) considering short term and long-term health, social and community empowerment outcomes in each model. There are major differences in service delivery and short term and long-term health and social outcomes associates with the models. These are not researched or understood well. This paper will focus and highlight these.