The Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (GAMS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service which provides services to both Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal Clientele.  It is a primary health care service initiated and operated by the local Aboriginal community to deliver holistic, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate health care to the community which controls it through a locally elected Board of Management.

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The Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service has five General Practice Doctors, Specialist Health Services and Allied Health Services. 

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History of the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service

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Prior to 2000, the Medical Service was a Primary Health Post, staffed and funded by the Griffith Community Health Centre and NSW Department of Health. The community resolved to make the transition from a Health Post to an Aboriginal Medical Service in 1999, in line with the aspirations for self-determination and self-management.

In July 2001, the first Chief Executive Officer of the GAMS commenced duties. It was not until May 2004, that the service received funding from the Department of Health & Ageing. Initial funding was to employ a Practice Administrator, General Practitioner and part time Finance Officer.  The service now employs around 56 FTE staff, delivering a range of services to the Indigenous community of Griffith and surrounding areas as well as to non-Indigenous members of these communities with over 10,000 clients on our records.

In November 2011, the Aboriginal Medical Service moved to a new site at 38-42 Jondaryan Avenue, Griffith.

GAMS covers an area that incorporates Hay, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Murrin Bridge, Leeton, Narrandera and Darlington Point, with another health service located at Lake Cargelligo/Murrin Bridge.

The Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service has:

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• General Practitioners

• Practice Nurses

• Dental Services

• Enhanced Primary Care Officer

• Social & Emotional Well-Being Workers

• Bringing Them Home Worker

• Child & Maternal Health Team

• Drug & Alcohol Team

• Dietitian

• Chronic Care Coordinator

• Speech Pathologist

• Allied health professionals including Child Counsellor, Podiatrist (visiting), Psychologist, ENT (visiting), Cardiologist (visiting), Endocrinologist (visiting) and Sexual Health Worker (visiting).

 

These are all supported by a management team, administration team and transport officer. Currently, the majority of the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service funding comes from the Commonwealth Department of Health, with other funding also supplied from the Department of  Prime Minister and Cabinet and NSW Health.