How do we commission services for First Nations?

To guide how the HNECC PHN commissions services for First Nations Peoples living within the region's footprint, we have adopted the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) - Guiding Principles (the Guiding Principles). The Guiding Principles, developed in March 2016 during initial consultation between PHNs and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO) acknowledge the commitment made to work together to improve access to health services and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

HNECC PHN supports the four key factors for improving quality of life and achieving health equity across the social determinants of health contained in the Guiding Principles:

• Connection to culture
• Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to determine and implement the solutions
• Improving cultural awareness and respect across the wider Australian population
• Effective partnerships – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is everybody’s business.

These factors in the context of the 12 National Commissioning Principles are applied at all stages of the commissioning cycle when commissioning services for First Nation Peoples and their communities

Ref. Department of Health (March 2016) Draft Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) – Guiding Principles. Canberra (accessed 5 December 2019)