Aboriginal Health
Our Aboriginal Health Access Team is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and their communities. Our programs are made to empower Aboriginal people about health and wellbeing in a culturally appropriate and safe way.
HealthWISE Aboriginal Health Services is a primary health care service initiated and operated by an Aboriginal workforce that delivers holistic, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate health care to the communities in the New England North West NSW.
For all referrals please see our referrals page
HealthWISE welcomes all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and whilst we commonly refer to Aboriginal people in a singular form, this is a reflection of our geographical area and predominant Aboriginal communities that reside within this region and not intended to exclude Torres Strait Islander people and families from accessing services.
"I'd just like to say a huge thank you to the lady at the Armidale office who assisted us today with my mum getting to her specialist appointment in Newcastle for tomorrow. Your help is really appreciated and I just want to say thank you and for making things easy for us during this hard time."
Aboriginal Health Services
What is the Indigenous Australians Health Programme?
The IAHP team is made up of Aboriginal Health Practitioners, Aboriginal Health Workers, Community Support Workers and Aboriginal Outreach Workers, through this multidisciplinary approach the team provide a combination of primary health care services, clinics and healthy lifestyle and education programs through holistic client care, culturally appropriate and community focused services. IAHP services are delivered in Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Moree and surrounding areas.
Integrated Team Care
The team is made up of Aboriginal Health Practitioners, Care Coordinators and Aboriginal Outreach Workers, through this multidisciplinary approach the team provide a combination of care coordination, outreach services and supplementary services across the New England North West NSW.
HealthWISE may be able to help you with:
- Coordinating your medical appointments
- Financial assistance for you to attend Specialist and Allied Health Professionals
- Assist with transport options to attend medical appointments
- Link you in with other organisations that may be able to assist you further
Ask your GP to refer you to this service or contact us on (02) 6766 1394
This program is known as Integrated Team Care – Aboriginal Health Access
Primary Health Care
Helping you access and attend primary health care education and programs
HealthWISE may be able to help you with:
- Indigenous fitness programs
- Healthy lifestyle programs
- Assist with transport options to attend primary healthcare programs
- Support to access primary health
- Link you in with other organisations that may be able to assist you further
Contact us to access this service on (02) 6766 1394
"We only have to identify a child with health needs and refer them to the HealthWISE team and everything gets taken care of."
Aboriginal Mental Health Services
What is Indigenous Mental Health?
The IMH team is made up of IMH care coordinators and IMH peer support workers, through this mental health clinical support model the team provide a combination of clinical care coordination, peer support and group therapy support sessions through culturally appropriate services, holistic methodologies which meet the mental health and healing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. IMH services are delivered in Tablelands Cluster, Peel Cluster and Liverpool Plains and surrounding areas.
What is the First Nations Aftercare Program?
The program delivers person-centred, non-clinical care and practical support after a suicide attempt for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. The First Nation’s Support Coordinator’s role connects people into existing health, clinical and community-based services, to ensure that people are safe and accessing the community-based support that is available. First Nations Aftercare services will be delivered in Inverell and surrounding areas.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
We can provide Face to Face, Phone and Skype counselling. The program assists in trying to get counselling services to the community, closer to where client resides, depending on locations and resources available to us.
Indigenous mental health services providing focused Psychological Strategies is currently being offered in NSW, we provide Indigenous Care Coordination & Group Mental Health Services in Bingara and Barraba, Inverell, Tenterfield, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Walcha, Liverpool Plains and Armidale.
Mental Health Care Plans
- If you are on or need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), talk to your GP and they can assist with your Referral and Consent Form.
- If you are engaged with service/organisation, they may be able to assist you with accessing MHCP and referral.
- Fax to 1300 452 059 or email to mentalhealth@healthwise.org.au.
- If GP or Services requires further information, they can contact 1800 931 540
Self-Referrals – Criteria
- You must be over 18 years old – not currently on MHCP you can self-refer
- If under 18 years old, require consent from Parents/Guardians for referral
- If working with service/organisation they may help with referral.
- Contact us on (02) 6766 1394 or 1800 931 540 and ask to speak to the Indigenous Mental Health Team for help with your self-referral
If you require any further information, contact 1800 931 540
HealthWISE is not a CRISIS Service and if someone is Self-Harming or at RISK of HARM, please call the Hospital or Police on 000 immediately.
Acknowledgement of partnering organisations
Armajun, Pius X and Walhallow Aboriginal Medical Services continue to help deliver effective culturally appropriate and community focused services through the Integrated Team Care program and Indigenous Mental Health program across the New England North West region of NSW.
