The Federal Government has announced it will invest $719 million to deliver improved primary health care and increase access to dental and allied health care services as part of the Strong Futures package.

 

The funding will be delivered over the next 10 years with an aim to improve the health and wellbeing of 65,000 Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, which is set to include new alcohol and drug treatment services.

 

The Australian Government will continue to fund Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and the Northern Territory Government to deliver primary health care services, which involves more than 250 full-time staff delivering medical, nursing and allied health services in 80 primary health care clinics. 

 

The Government is also providing funding for more than 2000 hearing checks and follow up services, including for children in remote communities, as well as a community education program to educate families about their children’s ear and hearing health.

 

The funding will also deliver four new community mental health services in the territory between 2012 and 2014.