Central Australia Aboriginal Congress
Clinic Profile
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Location
25 Gap Road Alice Springs (400m from Alice Springs Hospital)
Category
John Flynn Scholars, Prevocational Doctors (PGPPP) and GP Registrars
Population
Client population of around 7,000 people. Town population around 28,000.
Major Language Groups
Congress is on Central Arrernte land, but clients come from all language groups in Central Australia.
Access via Road
Alice Springs is on the Stuart Highway between Adelaide and Darwin
Access via Air
Flights from all capital cities
Seasonal Access
Year round access
Outstations Serviced
Outlying outstations within 100kms from Alice Springs, including Yambah, Hamilton Downs, Undoolya, Jay Creek & Northern Titjikala Outstations.
Health Centre Information
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC, or Congress) is the largest Aboriginal community controlled health service in the NT with an Aboriginal Board and senior management. It provides comprehensive primary health care services to the Alice Springs Aboriginal population and outlying outstations. Congress is a large well equipped clinic with 25 consulting rooms, on site pharmacy, emergency room with defibrillator and onsite audiology. There are 11.5 FTE doctors and usually 5-6 GP Registrars. There is a Chronic Disease team of RNs focused on Renal Disease, Cardiology and Diabetes. There is a Children’s Services Team focusing on children with a chronic disease (eg anaemia, FTT) and social barriers to effective management, and a Healthy Kids Clinic incorporating school visitation program. The clinic is fully computerised. Congress provides transport to client to facilitate timely access to clinical care.
Community Programs (including specialist visits)
Services Branch:
General practice Clinic
Healthy Kids Clinic
Pre-school readiness program
School (Trachoma) Program
Children’s Services Program
Frail Aged Disabled
Nursing Home visits
Bush Mobile Program
Hearing Program
Dental Clinic
Healthy Life & Tobacco Program
Specialists Visits:
Paediatrician
General Physician
Ophthalmologist/ Optometrist
Cardiologist
Nephrologist
Podiatrist
Diabetes Educator
Audiologist
Nutritionist
Ingkintja (Male Health):
GP Clinic
Violence Intervention Project
Men’s Shed and Cultural program
Alukura (Women’s Health & Ante Natal Care):
Australian Nurse Family Partnership Program
Young Women’s Community Education Program
Specialist O&G visits and Cultural programs
Social and Emotional Well Being programs:
Counselling Services
Safe & Sober Program
Congress Youth Outreach Program
Targeted family Support Program
Public Health Unit & CQI Team
Aboriginal Health Worker Training
Congress Childcare
Open Times
Mon and Tues: 0830hrs – 2030hrs
Wed: 0930hrs – 2000hrs
Thurs and Fri: 0830hrs – 2000hrs
Weekends and public holidays: 0830hrs – 1230hrs
After hours the clinic is operated by a receptionist, RN/AHW, Driver and security. Doctors are paid extra for this shift, plus receive a rostered session off.
Contact Details
25 Gap Road, Alice Springs, NT 0870
P: (08) 8951 4400 | F: (08) 8953 0350
E: [email protected]
PO Box 1604 Alice Springs NT 0871
Additional information
Congress is the second oldest community controlled health service in the country and was established in 1973 by local Aboriginal people to provide a culturally appropriate health service for Aboriginal people. Congress has an onsite library broadband Internet access.
Training Details (info for trainees)
This Aboriginal Health Service takes Registrars for Basic and Advanced GP terms in 6-month blocks. There is an opportunity to be involved in all the issues of Community Health teamwork together with general practice. This institution has been established for over 20 years and is a lively and very intellectually stimulating environment which has in many respects set the standards for primary health care in rural and remote areas. They also take a full time prevocational doctor under the PGPPP program in 4 x 13 week blocks.
Website Clinic Links
www.caac.org.au
www.cuzcongress.com.au
www.kwhb.com.au
History
Traditional home of the Arrernte people, Alice Springs was navigated for white settlement in the 1860s by explorer John McDouall Stuart who led an expedition through the Centre. Discovery of alluvial gold at Arltunga, some 100 kms east of Alice Springs in 1887 provided a population boom for the Centre and white settlers utilised the area for pastoralism.
Art & Culture
Desart – Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Centres (www.desart.com.au)
Aboriginal Australia Art & Culture Centre (aboriginalart.com.au)
Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation (www.warlu.com)
Mbantua Aboriginal Art Gallery and Cultural Museum (www.mbantua.com.au)
City/Shire Council
Alice Springs Town Council (www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au)
Local & Govt Services
Alice Springs has all the facilities and amenities expected of a large established outback settlement, including a hospital.
Facilities
Alice Springs has all the facilities and amenities expected of a large established outback settlement, including a new Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Attractions
The Kata Tjuta National Park (Uluru), MacDonnell Ranges, the Kings Canyon and the Simpson Desert.
Telecommunications reception and internet access
Full mobile reception and internet facilities available
Permits required ie camping, alcohol, beach etc
Some areas are designated alcohol free - it pays to check prior to arrival
Useful Links
www.thealice.com.au
www.alicespringsnews.com.au
en.travelnt.com/explore/alice-springs.aspx
