Our Indigenous Programs
To adequately close the health gap between Indigenous and other Australians we need a more competent workforce. A more competent workforce means training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people to more effectively address Indigenous health. The Faculty is dedicated to improving Indigenous health outcomes in Victoria and beyond.
One way the faculty is demonstrating its commitment is by establishing the School for Indigenous Health, the first dedicated school of its kind in Australia. The School is in development now, with an aim to be fully operational in 2013. The School will play a lead role in Indigenous health, but will work with the rest of the Faculty to contribute to improving Indigenous health outcomes, because we believe Indigenous health is everybody’s business.
The School is advised by a Community Reference Group which meets regularly and provides advice and support to us on cultural and intellectual issues relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health within the community. The CRG may also provide advice to the Dean and the Faculty Committee for Indigenous Health directly on these issues.
Teaching Programs
We are reviewing our existing Indigenous health curricula and developing a model whereby every student in the Faculty (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) will receive Indigenous health curricula content as part of their courses. Given the size of the Faculty, this will required a phased implementation approach.
Research Programs
We are implementing a Faculty-wide research protocol to facilitate more ethical and respectful research partnerships with Indigenous communities; and delivering a strategic research agenda that responds to Indigenous people's priorities. We are developing key partnerships and collaborations with Aboriginal and mainstream research organisations and institutes.
Community Development
The School will develop a community development program so that all activities of the School are delivered in an appropriate manner, and so that the School contributes to community service and community priorities.
