Welcome to Boab Health Services
Boab Health Services is a quality certified, not-for-profit registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. We provide quality, multidisciplinary primary health care services across the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Our History
The organisation was founded in 1998 as the Kimberley Division of General Practice (KDGP) to provide a voice for local GPs working across the hospital sector, the Aboriginal Medical Service sector, and the private sector throughout the region.
Starting with just four staff located behind the Roebuck Bay Backpackers in Broome, the organisation has steadily grown, and today employs around 50 staff based across Broome, Kununurra, Wyndham and Fitzroy Crossing.
Over time, the organisation has diversified to meet the needs of the wider communities. This began with the advent of direct service delivery with a small allied health team to support the high prevalence of chronic health conditions in the region.
Boab Health Services
In 2012 KDGP became Boab Health Services, governed by a board of directors. With the growth of the organisation, came access to funding for mental health services and care coordination for Aboriginal people to access primary health care services.
Now a standalone health service, Boab Health Services employs over 40 clinicians, supports numerous allied health students each year and works in partnership with every other health service in the region. It is the only non-government health service with a footprint across the entire Kimberley region.
In support of the primary health care philosophy, we promote a holistic person-centred approach to health care with a strong emphasis on self-management.
Our services include allied health services, mental health services and an integrated team care program, supported by a small corporate services team.
Our Values
Our Clients
Our clients are primarily resident of the Kimberley region. Many of our clients are Aboriginal people living with complex chronic health conditions. Whilst we are a mainstream health provider, we are community based and aim to provide culturally appropriate, high-quality services and programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal people to improve their health outcomes and wellbeing.
Health Equality
We work towards meeting health equality for all people in the Kimberley. We work across sectors to collaboratively deliver programs and outreach services to address social determinants of health, and support people to manage their health issues closer to their home and community.
To increase access to the mainstream health care system, we deliver outreach primary health services to remote communities across the Kimberley. This means people can stay at home and in their communities, which leads to better health outcomes for individuals. In doing this it also reduces the need for specialist and hospital services.
Our ITC Program specifically addresses some of the social determinants of health for Aboriginal people through care coordination, access to health services, transportation and supporting health education and literacy.
Accreditation
Boab Health Services is an ISO 9001:2015 quality certified organisation. We are also certified with the National Mental Health Standards.
Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum
We are one of thirteen member organisations of the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum. The aim of this regional forum is to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Kimberley.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Kimberley lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and re-affirm our commitment to reconciliation.
Everyone is welcome at Boab Health Services. We embrace and celebrate diversity among our clients and staff including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) people and all people of diverse sexualities, sex and/or genders.
Boab Health affirms its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
