❓ A parliamentary question addresses the urgent need for diabetes prevention programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in the Pilbara region, and questions the adequacy of state government funding and action compared to initiatives by organizations like Rotary. The Minister's response outlines existing programs and future plans, emphasizing collaboration with Aboriginal Medical Services and funding commitments.
AnsweredQoN 956Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE — DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
I refer to medical research that reveals that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the highest national percentage of morbidity from diabetes. (1) Is the minister aware that there is an urgent need to promote diabetes awareness in the Indigenous community, including and especially in the Pilbara? (2) What is the state government doing to increase training for local Indigenous people to participate in the foot diabetes prevention program? (3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer to medical research that reveals that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the highest national percentage of morbidity from diabetes. (1) Is the minister aware that there is an urgent need to promote diabetes awareness in the Indigenous community, including and especially in the Pilbara? (2) What is the state government doing to increase training for local Indigenous people to participate in the foot diabetes prevention program? (3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(1) Is the minister aware that there is an urgent need to promote diabetes awareness in the Indigenous community, including and especially in the Pilbara? (2) What is the state government doing to increase training for local Indigenous people to participate in the foot diabetes prevention program? (3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(2) What is the state government doing to increase training for local Indigenous people to participate in the foot diabetes prevention program? (3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(1) Is the minister aware that there is an urgent need to promote diabetes awareness in the Indigenous community, including and especially in the Pilbara? (2) What is the state government doing to increase training for local Indigenous people to participate in the foot diabetes prevention program? (3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(2) What is the state government doing to increase training for local Indigenous people to participate in the foot diabetes prevention program? (3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(3) What state government funds have been allocated in the 2009-10 financial year for diabetes prevention in the Indigenous community of the Pilbara? (4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(4) If funds are available for this program, why is the minister’s portfolio apparently doing so little to achieve outcomes in diabetes, while Rotary has stepped in and funded a much-needed program for the past 12 months? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
Thanks, Dorothy, for that question; it is a question I certainly appreciate having the opportunity to answer. (1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
(1)-(4) We are doing significant amounts in the management of diabetes in this state, particularly through a former Labor minister and member, Hon Ernie Bridge. Ernie Bridge is conducting a diabetes management program in the Kimberley. It is a pity that the member for Kimberley is not here because I know that she strongly supports that program. We were up there earlier this year announcing a significant increase in funding to Ernie and his program, of, I think, in the order of $300 000, to roll out his program further in the Kimberley to allow it to work closely alongside the WA Country Health Service. Not only that, but now, rather than having one-off funding, which tends to be the way these things are funded, we have embedded funding for that program in our recurrent budget for country health services. The question is: what do we do about it next and how further do we progress it? Through the Council of Australian Governments agreement we have funding commitments towards closing the gap. A significant sum, of course, is from the commonwealth. But in the state budget—I forget the exact figure—I am fairly certain $117 million is to be rolled out over the next four years as part of the closing the gap program. That will cover a range of areas, some of which are in mental health. One of the plans is to have 50 Aboriginal people trained as mental health workers to work throughout remote regions in Western Australia. Another very good program is being funded by Rotary. Significant work is being done around the Kalgoorlie region. Rotary is, in fact, seeking additional funds but it was given significant funds by the former federal Liberal government through the National Research Foundation funding. A lot of work is being done in seeking to close the gap, particularly in the management of diabetes. We are well aware of the issues of concern. With some of that $117 million, rather than us trying to find ways through country health services to fix everything and employ more people in the WA Country Health Service, we are going to look to work in a much closer relationship with the Aboriginal Medical Service. As members know, the AMS is spread throughout most regional parts of Western Australia providing medical services. We met with the body that manages the Aboriginal Medical Service. I have to say that when I first became the Minister for Health and met with people from the AMS, it was the first time a minister had met them in eight years. They had not had any meetings with the former Minister for Health during the whole of the Labor government term. They were very pleased to meet us. We are funding a component of their regional meetings, and I attend every regional meeting of the Aboriginal Medical Service. We are going to try to direct our funding through the AMS. We will contract through the Aboriginal Medical Service to provide a range of services to manage not just diabetes, which is critical, but also a range of other health problems throughout the state.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.