Health services

First Nations Health Outreach Service (FNHOS)

The aim of FNHOS is to increase access to a range of health services, including expanded primary health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the treatment and management of chronic disease. 

We support this by connecting with a number of service types including, medical specialists, allied health professionals, nursing services, outreach general practitioners, Aboriginal health workers and multidisciplinary teams.

Health priorities

• Diabetes 
• Cardiovascular disease 
• Chronic respiratory disease 
• Chronic renal disease 
• Cancer 

Visiting Optometrists Scheme (VOS)

The aim of the VOS is to deliver outreach optometry services to people living in regional, rural and remote locations, who do not have ready access to primary eye care services.  This includes expanded services to improve eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in rural and remote locations.

The aim of the Visiting Optometrist Scheme (VOS) is to increase optometry services for people living in regional, rural, and remote locations. 

In recognition of the need for culturally sensitive services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, VOS funded outreach services may be provided in major cities (MM1), provided that the service is delivered in an Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation or other culturally safe/appropriate host organisation. 

The VOS is made up of an Indigenous and non-Indigenous component with the Indigenous component making up 40 per cent of the total annual funding allocation in each jurisdiction. 

Health priorities

• Improving eye health
• Increasing optometry services in areas of identified need 

Related programs and resources

• Indigenous Eye Health (unimelb.edu.au)
• MASS Spectacle Supply Scheme | Queensland Health