Real stories, real people

Health workers urged to ‘do something real in indigenous health’.

Nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other health practitioners are being encouraged to consider extending their careers to help provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across Australia.

The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said a new website - www.dosomethingreal.health.gov.au - has been developed to share the inspiring stories of those already working to improve the health care available and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of remote health.

"Working in indigenous health can be very rewarding and challenging. Real stories by real people are shared on the website and include how doctors have helped a young boy to hear again, women overcome weight issues and people avoid the effects of diabetes," he said.

Regular updates are provided by Dr Hugh Heggie who moved to Darwin after 20 years as a GP in Victoria. He now flies up to 1500km each week providing health care to remote communities in the Territory and also helps train and supervise new practitioners.

Do Something Real is part of a wider initiative aimed at increasing the number of health practitioners contributing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and to encourage tertiary students to pursue a career in this area.

For more information, register today at www.dosomethingreal.health.gov.au

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