Close the gap | James Fitzpatrick | TEDxPerth

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. James Fitzpatrick is a consultant paediatrician, researcher and entrepreneur. He established Patches Paediatrics to harness the creativity of private enterprise and the precision of science to address seemingly intractable health problems in Aboriginal communities. James was awarded Young Australian of the Year in 2001 for his work in Aboriginal health, rural health workforce improvement and youth suicide prevention. As a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, and a former Infantry soldier, James combines a scientific approach with a reputation for getting things done.

James is the founder and Director of Patches Paediatrics, a child health service that is revolutionalising child health services in remote communities. He is also the founder of True Blue Dreaming, an Outback Youth Mentoring Program working with communities in the WA Wheatbelt and Kimberley regions.

He advises the Federal Minister for Indigenous health on strategies to ‘Close the Gap’ in Indigenous health disparity and was influential in shaping the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013 - 2023.

James Fitzpatrick is a consultant paediatrician, researcher and entrepreneur. He established Patches Paediatrics to harness the creativity of private enterprise and the precision of science to address seemingly intractable health problems in Aboriginal communities. James was awarded Young Australian of the Year in 2001 for his work in Aboriginal health, rural health workforce improvement and youth suicide prevention. As a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, and a former Infantry soldier, James combines a scientific approach with a reputation for getting things done.

James is the founder and Director of Patches Paediatrics, a child health service that is revolutionalising child health services in remote communities. He is also the founder of True Blue Dreaming, an Outback Youth Mentoring Program working with communities in the WA Wheatbelt and Kimberley regions.

He advises the Federal Minister for Indigenous health on strategies to ‘Close the Gap’ in Indigenous health disparity and was influential in shaping the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013 - 2023.

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[TerriB]

I am astonished this hasn't been watched more times.  This is a very important topic and one that all of Australia should get behind.  Alcohol is tearing our families, our communities, and individual lives apart, and it won't get better until the Government convinces the alcohol industry to release its iron grip.  Alcohol is profitable, yes, but lives matter more than money.

[distone]

Thank you for sharing this James Fitzpatrick. You're doing what I want to do. Help the communities. Bravo. We can't undo the past, but we can help to make other people's lives better. Some of my good friends are indigenous, I know their stories of hurt and struggle. These people all want to move on, on to a better future for themselves and their children.

[choychanma]

Brilliant, thank you, Dr Fitzpatrick. Your contribution is fantastic !!

[mareeseterare]

that would have to be the most meaningful talk I have had the pleasure to listen to. thank you for sharing deep and profound love.

[emmaryan]

What a beautiful person/heart. Thank you

[scarcy]

What a great inspiring story James Fitzpatrick. You are making such a difference. God bless you!!

[superawesomechannel]

Ted, this is fantastic lesson to everyone. That is why we can share this amazing inspection presentation great job to pass on. Incredible experience those indigenous peoples how much they have been suffering from this.

[momoffasd]

This is a problem all over the world. So sad and sick. I have 2 adopted kids with FASD. It breaks my heart every day. Their lives are ruined,

[superawesomechannel]

Thanks for amazing inspection lesson mate. This is great.

[jennyhogan]

excellent talk, great work to you and your team

[michaelmallal]

My grandmother was a bar maid and it no doubt helped her rise her three daughters. Same goes with poker machines, clubs are labour intensive and support families.

[moira]

fantastic work. It doesnt matter where anyone is in health etc, we can change the future, that is by giving hope

[ray]

Closing the gap is achieved by inspiring people to achieve, not by lowering the bar so that standards in society suffer. Merit, never race must be the criteria for entry to courses, qualifications and jobs so that the very brightest, the most individually intelligent, the hardest working, the most determined can make the dreams come through. Never use race to squash the very real dreams of those who strive.

[vladimirgoodness]

7:35
9:42 Enstein: 55 on deinining the problem, 5 min- on finding solutoin
11:10 We often infest much in defining the problem but then don't stay the long course of the solution

[yoummnaandary]

congratulation .. This is amazing and it should be shared. Alcohol is money making but at what cost .. our children deserve to come to a save and protected environment so they grow and thrive.. FASD is causing harm, damage to vulnerable new lives...

[michaelmallal]

Sale of wine is a big money earner and pays wages, taxes and helps our balance of trade. All these interventions cost money, paid by taxes such as GST on wine and PAYE on labour.

[michaelmallal]

The coroner no doubt shared a drink with fellow judges as they cried.

[karenvecsei]

Close the Gap for Aboriginals between the age of 55 to 67 to enable an Old Age Pension.

[chrokeii]

This is great, but what is the "gap" that they're referring to in the title?

[saskiademoor]

I sense great intention of James and all involved and yet something crucial also feels 'not right'. Is it because the cause is not addressed? Because of the attitude that seems to be that 'we have to address the many, many Problems of Aborignal Peoples' in a well meaning White assimilationist ways and all will get better? In my view the real problem is 230 years of continual and ongoing cultural genocide.