A key message derived from the process has been the importance of Aboriginal community control over the planning and delivery of services in the North West and this cannot be ignored as an overriding principle in the implementation of any Government action. Indeed much can be learnt from the holistic and community based approach to health being practised by many of the Aboriginal Medical Services and also being demanded by the Aboriginal communities themselves. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an outline of the planning process developed by the Pilbara based Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services as a demonstration of an effective partnership in achieving improved health services. A separate process to inform and enhance the main Norhealth 2020 Plan was established. This was to be managed by the regions' three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
Aboriginal people hold a negative view about research and consultation.
The community has seen few positive results of such activities over many years. The experience was one of a non-Aboriginal expert or consultant flying into the area for a few brief meetings, latching onto a few key community figures and recording Aboriginal viewpoints in words that Aboriginal people don't use. Because the consultants are 'fly in fly out' there is little, if any automatic feedback and accountability for the research outcomes. There is no transfer of skills and little information passed on to the community. Aboriginal members of the planning team were very clear that they wanted to participate in a process which built on the way that they lived and thought, they wanted to learn and understand more and they wanted to direct their own future.