Caring on Country
An Aboriginal-led health initiative delivered in partnership between the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance and Rio Tinto
Caring on Country is a five-year, Aboriginal-led health initiative delivered in partnership between the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) and Rio Tinto.
With a $5 million commitment from Rio Tinto over five years, Caring on Country focuses on innovation, coordination, and strategic reform to improve the social and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal people across the Pilbara.
Guided by Cultural Leadership
Focus Areas
Completed
Health Project Manager
A fixed term appointment to coordinate, consult and provide continuity across all facets of the program.
In Progress
Tom Price Dialysis Wrap Around Services
Wrap around services to support dialysis patients such as transport and family support – codesigned with community. For more information on the Tom Price Kidney Dialysis Unit click here or join the Facebook group for regular updates.
Planning Commenced
Access to prevention and culturally safe care
Focused within the Shire of Ashburton the program will be codesigned with community focused on preventative health services.
Planning Commenced
Health Summit
Convening a high-impact health summit in the Pilbara in 2027. Bringing together local Aboriginal knowledge, evaluation findings on the program to date to consider expansion opportunities through co-contribution models.
The Journey so Far
DEC 2024 – CURRENT
What’s Happened
- Contract Executed.
- Joint Media Release approved and released.
- Aboriginal Reference Council formed.
- Health Project Manager appointed.
- Tom Price Stakeholder Engagement session complete.
- Wirraka Maya Health Service Board commits to supporting ACCHS delivery.
Remainder of 2025
Key Activities
- Community consultation in Shire of Ashburton Commences September 2025 on wrap around co-design process. Including community, service providers.
- Health Service Mapping and Integration of existing services.
- Clear policies and rules for making decisions by ARC, RTIO, PAHA to benefit Aboriginal communities.
- Wrap around supports for Dialysis Treatment Services identified.
- Health Checks underway.
- Outcomes Health Data Platform.
2026
Future Activities
- Aboriginal Health Summit planning and convening.
- Busines Case Developed for permanent solutions to Health Service in Shire of Ashburton.
- Evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Flexible Funding Pool contributions & allocations.
- Cultural safety directed by ARC with regular review and evaluation reports.
Support Required
Ongoing advocacy to state government to support shortfall in Dialysis operational costs.
Ongoing advocacy to Commonwealth Government to increase the Medicare rebate to meet Dialysis Operational Costs
RIC Subcommittee representative that would like to join the Aboriginal Reference Council
House for short stay and supported funding
Land for Staff Accommodation
Caring on Country News
Progress on the Tom Price Kidney Dialysis Unit
The Tom Price Kidney Dialysis Unit (TPKDU) continues to move forward, with important foundations now in place to ensure the facility is safe, resilient and built to serve the community in the future.
Listening on Country – Community Voices Shaping a Stronger Health Future for the Hamersley Ranges
Recent on-Country consultations revealed key community needs that are guiding PAHA’s work to improve health access in the Hamersley Ranges.
Stronger Together: Expansion of Aboriginal Reference Group Connects Health Projects
Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance is proud to have facilitated the expansion of the Tom Price Kidney Dialysis Unit (TPKDU) Aboriginal Reference Council into the newly formed Hamersley Ranges Community Health Aboriginal Reference Group (HR-CHARG).
Got Questions?
For Caring on Country inquiries, please contact: