This program provided Podiatry and Psychology Services for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander in collaboration with GP Connections. The project has now FINISHED and no further funding was available.

It addressed recognised Barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accessing Allied Health Professional (AHP) Services

•  Affordability
• Unsure if AHP would be culturally sensitive
• Transport
• Proximity of the service

More Allied Health Services (MAHS) Model of Service Delivery 

• GP Connections currently administers the MAHS programme. 
• The MAHS programme is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing to provide increased access to Allied

Health Professionals for clients living in rural areas.

• The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients who access Carbal Medical Centre come from within the Toowoomba Metropolitan area and therefore are ineligible for services under the MAHS requirements and so did not have access to Allied Health Providers if not able to pay for services (often around $100 per hour cost).
• The Australian Bureau of Statistics clearly shows that the unemployment rate for Indigenous people is 3 times higher than for non Indigenous people. The median income received by employed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders was substantially less than that received by employed non-Indigenous people by nearly $150 per week.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer a much higher burden of Chronic Disease and access to AHP, working with the doctor, has been clearly recognised as beneficial.

SO:

Carbal Medical Centre and GP Connections worked together to submit a proposal to OATSIH which was successful.

• Carbal Medical Centre is now able to offer its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander client's access to Podiatry and Psychology Services free of charge to the client. 
• Transport to and from the sessions is offered for those who need it 
• The providers are undergoing Cultural Sensitivity Training to ensure the services are delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Therefore the name: Indigenous More Allied Health Services (iMAHS)