As per the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2006 there are almost 1400 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander residents on the Frankston/Mornington Peninsula and we expect this to have increased by 2011.

Feedback from General Practice however, indicates that the numbers of identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients are not reflected in Practice based statistics.

Why?

In part this is due to a lack of self-identification. It may also be attributed to the reliance sometimes placed upon 'visual identification'.

It is imperative that the question

'Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?'

is asked of ALL patients irrespective of their appearance.

Further information and Resources please refer to our Resources page.