Access to services

In 2021, North Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survey participants shared their experiences of accessing North Coast primary care services.¹

When asked what makes them feel culturally safe when accessing services, the most commonly selected options were:
- being respected
- a welcoming building/environment, and
- Aboriginal staff.
1 in 2 felt respected as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person when they access health services.
1 in 2 said it was important to have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health professionals involved in their care.
9 in 10 had accessed a GP at least once in the past 12 month.

Top three barriers to accessing services:

From 2013-2020, the number of Aboriginal health workers across the region increased by 97% (132) from 2013-2020.²

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent:

0.4% of GPs
2.7% of medical specialists
3.1% of nurses/midwives, and
8.8% of selected allied health professionals in the North Coast.

Aged care services

2.6% of Aboriginal people over 50+ in Healthy North Coast might need aged care services, compared to 1.9% in NSW and 1.7% in Australia.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across our region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and on their journey. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to the land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Land’s first peoples and honour the rich diversity of the oldest living cultures.

Healthy North Coast is an independent, not-for-profit organisation proudly delivering the PHN program in North Coast NSW. We are committed to improving the health of our communities through quality primary health care.

The PHN program is an Australian Government Initiative.