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RivMed has cemented itself as a high-quality and effective health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Riverina.
The service is much more than just GP and dental services with a wide range of services looking after all aspects of health and well being.
“Health is about more than going to the doctor,” board chairwoman Dorothy Whyman said.
“We look at our services as a wrap-around service.
People can see a doctor and could then be referred to support services for family violence or drug, alcohol addictions.”
There are many different facets people can access including family functional therapy, support for those who are dealing with drug and alcohol issues, healthy lifestyle education and nutrition.
Functional therapy
Is a pilot program working with families in their homes to help keep them together.
RivMed are the only Aboriginal service in the state offering the service.
This service is open to anyone not just aboriginal people and more than 50 per cent of the current participants are non-aboriginal.
“RivMed is going into the homes of families that need this service and intervention the most, and are at risk of their children being removed into out-of-home care,” Riverina Medical and Dental CEO Tangerene Ingram said.
“There have been some really difficult cases which have come our way and our team have been able to get them (the family) back up and running again.
“The program deals with traumas that are impacting the family.”
Drug and alcohol addiction support
Support is provided to those whose health or well-being is compromised through substance abuse. The strategies used by RivMed to tackle the cultural side of drug and alcohol use has been applauded by other organisations around the state. RivMed support workers were invited to present their program’s success at a drug and alcohol conference.
Research
RivMed is actively involved in research which support strategies and education to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal people.