1. Choose an Indigenous health service, organisation or program and documented reasons for your choice
2. Develop and analyse a profile of the Indigenous health service, organisation or program, which may include some or all of the following:

• Brief History
• Vision and objectives
• What the health service, organisation or program does
• Membership (who makes up the community or target population)
• Contacts and location
• Issues and challenges

3. Comment and critically reflect on your impressions of the Indigenous health service, organisation or program

4. Identify and analyse some specific or general issues or challenges for the Indigenous health service, organisation or program

                                                             SAMPLE SOLUTION

 A major health concern for most individual is the lack of a health care service that considers all their needs, including the unique cultural needs. The aboriginal community consists of people who may not be conversant in English language, thus may not be able to express themselves effectively. In addition, different cultures tend to be predisposed to specific medical conditions which the doctor needs to keep in mind when making diagnosis and prescribing medication. Unfortunately, not all health physicians are sensitive to culture, which is why there are many patients who end up with poor health outcomes.  In response to these negative impacts, the Winnunga Nimmityjah aboriginal health service was created. It is an aboriginal community controlled primary health care service that is run by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the ACT. Its main aim is to offer a culturally safe, holistic healthcare service which not only includes the physical aspect of medical care, but also others such as the healthy lifestyles programs that promote emotional and psychological health too.

History

Winnunga Nimmityjah aboriginal health service was established in 1988 by the local aboriginal people (Tongs & Poroch, 2014). It was inspired by the national mobilization of individuals around the opening of the new parliament house and the Queen’s visit. Olive Brown, who was an active participant in the health of the aboriginals, identified the need of setting up a temporary medical service under a tent. With the help of a few others to offer support her in caring for the aboriginals, a temporary aboriginal health service was established. Soon enough, she was offered a room in ACT health so she could run the clinic twice a week and on Saturdays. By 1991, the clinic was already established within the Griffin Centre as a full time medical practice.