PRESS RELEASE: National Recognition Day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners

National Day of Recognition for the critical Aboriginal and/or Torres
Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner Workforce

The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and
Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) are proud to invite the Australian public to join us on 7th of
August 2021 for the Inaugural National Day of Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Health Workers and Practitioners.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners are the world’s only Indigenous health professions underpinned by national training and regulation. For many years, NAATSIHWP’s members have been crucial to the safe and effective delivery of health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities. Their combination of clinical, cultural, social and linguistic skills delivers an engagement capability and community reach that sets them apart from other health professionals. They provide a high standard of culturally responsive care, and act as cultural brokers and health system navigators.

The establishment of these professions has been perhaps one of the most successful exercises in self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over our own health outcomes, as these professions have been established by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAATSIHWP, as the peak body for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners, believes that our members often do not receive the recognition they deserve for their crucial work. As our workforce is a world first, the unique nature of NAATSIHWP’s members and their work should be a source of National pride.

Accordingly, NAATSIHWP’s members have collectively agreed that the 7th of August, the day of NAATSIHWP’s establishment in 2009, would be appropriate to celebrate the achievements of the workforce over many years.

It is past time that we recognise the world leading innovation in culturally safe and community focused health care being led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We welcome and encourage all Australian’s to join us on the 7th of August, this year and in years to come, to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners in their own local communities around the country. More information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners can be found at: www.naatsihwp.org.au.

For media enquiries, please contact David Follent on 0430 827 907 or email [email protected]