8. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) Flashcards
What is an ACCHO?
ACCHO is a primary health care service that is initiated and operated by the local aboriginal community to deliver holistic and culturally appropriate care to the ATS, through a locally elected board of management.
How does ACCHO work?
ACCHOs participate in improving the education level of the local ATS, providing supports to individuals and families (ie, mental, financial …), and building better community capacity.
What is a Strength-based and Community-led approach?
- It recognises the successes, resilience and strengths of ATS, their families and communities.
- It is not a denial or oversight of the external obstacles and restrictions imposed on ATS people, ie institutional racism, health inequalities
- It involves understanding that investing in ATS-led solutions is the most effective way to improve the health outcomes for the ATS.
What are the characteristics of ACCHOs?
- ACCHSs is founded in 1971 in Redfern
- In contrast to the mainstream western health care services, the ACCHOs are able to address holistic factors that the western services do not account for, which include:
a. Culturally holistic care
- Met the holistic needs of the clients in indigenous communities, like addressing socioeconomic factors of health that contribute to health trends within the First Nations communities.
- This encompassed many determinants of health for ATS people, rather than focusing on the biomedical approach.
b. Culturally safe and inclusive care
- A high level of trust and mutual understanding within the relationship between ATS people and health care providers were created.
- These were facilitated through a mutual share of experience (ie Yarning), as well as an overall sense of safety and non-judgement.
c. Accessibility
- ATS clients describe the ACCHOs services as more flexible, catering, and welcoming compared to the current mainstream health care services.
