enHealth Council - Strategy & Implementation Plan

Environmental Health Justice - Indigenous Environmental Health

Implementation Plan Projects Currently Underway

Part I

Determine and clarify the roles and responsibilities of the agencies with responsibility for the management and improvement of Indigenous Environmental Health and develop an agreed framework for action.

Part II

Consensus on national standards for education and training of Environmental Health Workers in Indigenous Australian communities to enhance their effectiveness and career opportunities.

Issue: Indigenous Environmental Health - Part I

Need Addressed (as identified in National Environmental Health Strategy Implementation Plan):

Jurisdiction: Commonwealth on behalf of enHealth Council

Project:

This study was commissioned by the Department of Health and Ageing on behalf of the enHealth Council.

The aim of the project was to produce a systematic account, or ‘map’, of the roles and responsibilities of key agencies or organisations involved in providing, managing or funding Indigenous environmental health services. In particular the research was concerned with:

drinking water
housing, sewerage and other related infrastructure
waste management
pest control
food

The study also aimed to identify significant problems, gaps or areas of duplication. The report is chiefly concerned with service delivery to discrete Indigenous communities.

The final report called Accountability in Indigenous Environmental Health Services - Australia 2002 can be obtained by clicking on the following webpage :

http://enhealth.nphp.gov.au/council/pubs/pdf/accountability.pdf

Contact Details:

Eddie Hollingsworth
Phn (02) 6289 7264
edward.hollingsworth@health.gov.au

Issue: Indigenous Environmental Health - Part II

Need Addressed (as identified in National Environmental Health Strategy Implementation Plan):

Consensus on national standards for education and training of Environmental Health Workers in Indigenous Australian communities to enhance their effectiveness and career opportunities.

Jurisdiction: Commonwealth on behalf of enHealth Council

Project:

To conduct a national review of Indigenous Environmental Health Workforce in relation to employment, education and training, support of Indigenous Environmental Health Workers and the processes that relate to decision making in relation to environmental health activities in Indigenous communities. To also develop a framework for the creation of supportive environments, including relationships with Environmental Health Officers and career paths for environmental health servicing in indigenous communities.

It is envisaged that the final report will be available early in 2003.

Contact Details:

Eddie Hollingsworth
Phn (02) 6289 7264
edward.hollingsworth@health.gov.au