The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is disturbed by findings in the Review of Government Service Provision’s landmark report Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage 2014 that indicate a widening gap in areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing, most notably mental health.
The Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage (OID) reportmeasures the overall wellbeing of Australian Indigenous peoples and is the most comprehensive examination into whether policies and programs are achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
RACGP President, Dr Frank R Jones said while the report shows encouraging signs of progress made to Close the Gap in life expectancy and young child mortality rates, the steep increase in mental health issues, suicide and self-harm pose serious cause for concern.
“It is promising to see the gap in life expectancy is slowly narrowing and that child mortality rates have continued to decline, but these successes are overshadowed by the dramatic increase in hospitalisations for self-harm and those reporting high levels of psychological stress,” said Dr Jones
“It should also be noted that whilst these positives have been made in closing the life expectancy gap, it is by no means closing at a rate that would suggest the gap can be closed within a generation.
“Rates of disability and chronic disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples remain high, a stark reminder that while we have had some small wins, there is a long road ahead and this is no time for complacency.”
The rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients hospitalised for intentional self-harm increased by 48 per cent and reports of psychological distress increased from 27 per cent to 30 per cent in 2004–05 to 2012–13.
“This report provides further evidence that an introduction of the proposed $7 co-payment will prove disastrous for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who already face considerable barriers to accessing clinically and culturally appropriate healthcare,” said Dr Jones
“GPs are front line in the battle against mental health disorders and any policy that leads patients who are already vulnerable to delay or avoid seeking help for their GP will have devastating implications.
“A co-payment for general practice services would be completely counter-intuitive to any efforts to Close the Gap and it is the responsibility of all Australians to hold the Government to its promises, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health remains a national priority.”
As a member of the Close the Gap steering committee the RACGP is committed to achieving the campaign goals and is proud of the daily work of many of its members to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.