Start Date

1 August 2014

Authors

VACCHO

Info

This project was conducted in two phases.

Phase one led by VACCHO

Analysing the current scope of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service provision and, from a service provider perspective, potential factors that affect Aboriginal children and families’ access to MCH services. 

Phase two led by ACIL Allen Consulting

Exploring Aboriginal families’ perceptions and experiences of MCH services.

Outcomes

Across both phases of the project feedback was gathered from 13 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), 11 Local Councils, 62 health professionals and 121 Aboriginal families.

The project identified a number of focus areas to improve Aboriginal families’ engagement in MCH services:

• MCH services need to be culturally safe;
• MCH services need to be family centred and strengths based;
• Aboriginal families need to be better informed about the benefits of MCH services; and
• Partnerships between service providers need to be strengthened.

Findings

Aboriginal Families' Engagement in MCH review

End Date

1 February 2016