Health Minister Kim Hames has also directed that $2million from the general health budget be allocated to the Footprints to Better Health Strategy (FBH), bringing the total to $32.3million.

Speaking at the WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector Conference today, Dr Hames said the new Western Australian FBH would build on work done under two programs started as part of the Federal-State National Partnership Agreements.

“Footprints combines the two programs – Closing the Gap (CTG) in Aboriginal Health and the Indigenous Early Childhood Development (IECD) programs, and will promote the critical role that prevention, early intervention and self-care play in good health outcomes,” the Minister said.

“The program will increase access to quality health care, improve services and create jobs for Aboriginal people in health care.

“Since 2009, significant efforts and resources have been invested in improving health outcomes and reducing the life expectancy gap and, while a lot has been achieved, much remains to be done, and the new Footprints Strategy provides a framework for continuing this work.”

The State Government’s $30.3milion investment in this strategy in 2014-15 builds on the $148.8million committed towards improving health outcomes for the State’s Aboriginal people between 2009 and 2014, which is the single largest investment in Aboriginal health made by any Western Australian Government.

The year’s funding will enable the delivery of dedicated Aboriginal health services, addressing six strategic areas of reform using culturally secure models of care.