AHMAC establishes the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (SCATSIH)

The 25 October meeting of AHMAC (Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council) agreed to establish the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (SCATSIH) with the following draft terms of reference:

(1) To assist AHMAC to meets its whole-of-health system responsibilities to improve Indigenous health;
(2) To coordinate and promote jurisdictional activities in relation to Indigenous health policy development, program development and delivery;
(3) To provide advice to and representation on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council;
(4) To provide a forum for coordination of health jurisdictions advice on Indigenous health to COAG (Council of Australian Governments) and other Ministerial Councils; and
(5) To convene a forum responsible for personal development, leadership and collegiate development of Indigenous staff working within Commonwealth, State and Territory health departments.

Membership of the SCATSIH, which supersedes the Heads of Aboriginal Health Units (HAHU) forum, is being finalised in preparation for the first meeting on 4 December. Details of the SCATSIH membership and other aspects will be provided as they become available.