Meeting held 4 February 2016
Welcome to Country provided by Steve Randall from Deerubin Local Aboriginal Land Council
Meeting facilitated by Marc and Darlene Daley
Reported on:
Responded to questions relating to:
The liquidator indicated that the investigation into the former AMSWS was underway but that to date most of their time to date had been devoted to ensuring that former employees received their FEG entitlements. A completed report will be available to community by the end of 2016.
The liquidator confirmed that no offer of $4.1 million was received prior to the closure of AMSWS, indicating there were initial discussions but that no formal offer was made. The liquidator noted that when appointed AMSWS was losing about $250,000 a month.
The liquidator indicated a number of former staff had been employed at the interim service.
Paul McCormack (Assistant Secretary, Regional Services Grants Branch, Department of Health, Australian Government) provided an overview of the proposed process for developing a new Aboriginal Health Service in Western Sydney and Nepean. Refer to the copy of presentation slides Provision Of Culturally Appropriate Aboriginal Health Services For Western Sydney And Nepean Blue Mountains Regions for further detail.
Paul McCormack and Geri Wilson-Matenga (A/Director Centre for Aboriginal Health, NSW Ministry of Health) responded questions relating to:
Reassurance was given by both Government representatives that the tender specifications as part of the approach to market will include clear selection criteria on clinically and culturally appropriate services that deliver high quality care. This will include organisations needing to demonstrate genuine engagement with the community, including elders groups and young people.
Both Government representatives confirmed it will be an open approach to market which will enable any organisation to apply, including organisations outside of NSW.
Both Government representatives indicated that the tender panel will be selected by the Commonwealth and the Ministry and will include members with expertise in a range of areas, including those with health service management expertise.
Both Government representatives indicated that listening and consulting with the community is part of the process for shaping a future service. They highlighted that the community meetings were one of several forums where people could have their say.
Both Government representatives indicated that they are looking to tools and frameworks from peak Aboriginal organisations to guide decisions about what constitutes well run, high quality, culturally appropriate organisations and ensure that these are clearly stated in the selection criteria.
Mr McCormack acknowledged the constraints that Government works within as a bureaucracy and that the current approach in Western Sydney aligns with Australian Government policy.
Both Government representatives encouraged Aboriginal organisations to apply.
Ms Wilson-Matenga acknowledged that timeframes, among other issues, are important concerns for the community. She also confirmed the NSW Aboriginal Health Plan includes a commitment to supporting and enhancing Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Both Government representatives encouraged the community to engage with the peak body, the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) to support capacity to tender.
Both Government representatives indicated that Aboriginal staff, including GPs would be strongly encouraged/ supported, noting that it may not be possible with current GP workforce limitations.
Mr McCormack indicated that this will be one entity that ensures coverage of Western Sydney and the Nepean, including sites at Penrith and Mt Druitt.
Community concern around ongoing input and engagement in inputting into tender process was noted by both NSW Ministry of Health and Commonwealth Health Department.
Both Government representatives indicated that the community meeting was one of many forums for engagement and only the start of the process. Other opportunities include the survey run by CIRCA (Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia) and small group consultation sessions occurring across Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains regions.
Both Government representatives noted that all of the information collected from community would help inform the development of tender documents and service requirements.