HealthWISE New England North West serve more than 7500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region with about $2.6 million of commonwealth funding. 

But last week the government announced HealthWISE would only receive $477,053 for the 2017-2018 year.

The major funding for the region went to Inverell-based health provider Armajun Aboriginal Health Service, who is also working in Armidale’s Pat Dixon building.

HealthWISE chairwoman Lia Mahoney said she was concerned about the impact on the community.

“The level of funding received is insufficient [for us] to continue the same level of services across the region,” she said.

“There will be significant staff losses, primarily Aboriginal staff, across the region prior to Christmas.

“The loss of services by HealthWISE is also likely to put a strain on other Aboriginal service providers in the area.”

HealthWISE will continue their programs in Tamworth, Gunnedah, and Moree.

And will work with Armajun to determine what services in Armidale, Guyra, Walcha, and Uralla will continue and how they will be delivered.

Armajun and HealthWISE have a long and successful relationship in delivering indigenous health programs to the region.

But the Australian government's new funding model pits former partners against each other in a competitive tender process.

In February, the government sought applications for Primary Health Care Services funding for the 2017/2018 financial year.

Armajun chief executive Debbie McCowen spoke with the Armidale community in a meeting at the Pat Dixon Medical Centre last week.

“Armajun will listen to the community and continue to provide all services the community wants and we won’t keep services that the community doesn’t want,” she said.

HealthWISE and Armajun will meet next month to discuss the transition.