ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Category:	Organisation
Sub Category:	Representative Body
Place:
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State/Country:	Australia
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Alternative Names:	NACCHO
URL:	http://www.naccho.org.au/Home.html
Summary Information:
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national peak Aboriginal health body. It has a membership of over 130 Aboriginal community controlled health services throughout Australia, which operate in urban, rural and remote areas. NACCHO represents the health interests of Aboriginal communities at the national level. It promotes holistic and culturally appropriate health to Aboriginal communities. NACCHO is governed by an Executive Committee whose members are elected through NACCHO's State/Territory affiliates. Administration and coordination is undertaken by NACCHO's National Secretariat, established in Canberra in 1997.
Detailed Information:
An Aboriginal community controlled health service (ACCHS) is a primary health care service initiated by local Aboriginal communities to deliver holistic and culturally appropriate care to people within their communities. Their Board members are elected from the local Aboriginal community. Aboriginal communities around Australia have been establishing such services since the early 1970s in response to a range of barriers inhibiting Aboriginal access to mainstream primary health care services and, as an expression of self-determination. NACCHO provides the link between ACCHSs and between ACCHSs and the government. Its work includes: - Promoting, increasing, developing, and expanding the provision of medical and health services through local Aboriginal community controlled primary health care services; - Liaising with governments, departments, and organisations within both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities on matters relating to the wellbeing and health of Aboriginal communities; - Representing and advocating for Aboriginal communities in matters relating to health services, health research, health programs, etc; - Assisting member organisations to provide Aboriginal people with medical services and other health services; and - Assessing the health needs of Aboriginal communities (through research, data analysis, surveys, etc), and taking steps to meet these needs.