The call has been issued nationally for doctors, nurses, audiologists, dentists and primary health carers to complete child health checks and deliver follow-up treatment to Aboriginal children in remote Northern Territory communities.
Dr David Ashbridge, CEO of the Department of Health and Community Services said Phase 2 of the Australian Government Intervention is about to commence and more health practitioners are needed to take up temporary roles under the initiative.
Both the Department and Aboriginal Medical Services are on board to complete the remaining Australian Government Child Health checks and follow up treatment.
"The first phase of the initiative delivered more than 6000 health checks resulting in more than 4000 referrals for a range of services including dental, hearing, paediatric and primary health care services.
"The next phase will complete the health checks, with up to another 7 500 required, but also undertake follow-up treatment for earlier and new referrals."
"To do this, mobile primary health, dental and hearing teams will visit a number of communities to deliver a range of treatments working along side with existing remote health centre staff.
In addition surgical teams are to be deployed to hospital bases to address surgical and complex needs.
"The commitment of health professionals involved in the first round of health checks was welcomed and we expect that many of those will want to be further involved.
"The roles have expanded and broaden in this phase with a need for hearing, dental and surgical practitioners for follow-up treatment.
"We also expect that there are still health practitioners across the country that may want a taste of health care delivery in remote areas, particularly Aboriginal health and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents," he said.
Positions offered are flexible allowing for short term placement for those who can't leave a permanent position elsewhere but may want to help out, even for a short period of a 3 weeks up to terms of 3 months.
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Release date: 22 February 2008
