Labor will improve health services in northern Melbourne

An Albanese Labor Government will provide Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS) with $2.6 million to improve the health services available across regional Victoria and in northern Melbourne.

This funding will support VAHS to deliver extra services to residents across the region.

1)    $600,000 for two vans to conduct primary and dental health outreach. These vans will bring health professionals and services to under-served communities and will be available for rural and regional communities in conjunction with their local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

2)    $2 million to re-fit their Preston premises to expand support for women, children and families across Melbourne’s northern suburbs. This funding will mean VAHS can provide paediatricians and speech pathologists, counselling and support for children with learning difficulties, as well as more support for parents.

 An Albanese Labor Government will make sure First Nations Australians and our community as a whole has access to the health facilities and services they need to live healthy lives.

Comment attributable to Linda Burney

Too many people, especially First Nations people, struggle to get access to the services they need in Melbourne’s north.

An Albanese Labor Government would pick up the responsibility the Coalition have dropped and make sure First Nations people have access to the health services they need.

We can’t begin to close the gap on health while First Nations people can’t get access to a GP or a nurse, and while kids can’t find a paediatrician who can help them in a culturally safe way.

It’s time we had a government which put proper health facilities and services front and centre.

Comment attributable to Ged Kearney

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service does much-needed work across the northern suburbs and across the whole of Victoria.

A Labor Government will make it easier for First Nations women and kids to get the support they need from professionals they trust – from paediatricians to counselling, to speech pathologists and parenting support.

These two vans will conduct around 5,000 consultations and referrals a year. It will mean that Aboriginal healthcare professionals and dentists can travel across the state, making sure everyone has access to the healthcare they need.

ENDS

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra