That is certainly should be a key factor in efforts to create better health outcomes for the Indigenous community.

Statistics – those cold, hard dusty things that still cannot tell stories at a personal level – routinely spell-out the terrible disadvantaged suffered.

Life expectancy for Indigenous Australians falls well short of the rest of the population and the rates of illness for chronic, life-threatening illnesses are well above, especially for such ailments as kidney disease.

It is a reality that continues to be a blight on us as a nation and solutions must be found to at least turn it all around.

We often hear, often from those with vested interests that throw doubt on the truth of the matter, about the considerable sums of money spent on Indigenous health.

What we do know, aside from those effective programs that no doubt do exist, is that the status quo is falling woefully short.

A not inconsiderable part of the conversation is what so often is missing and that is the voice of Indigenous people themselves.

“Consultation, consultation, consultation” is the catchphrase for every scratch and itch that comes from government and yet there must be doubt about just who that consultation involves.

It appears there is certainly a considerable degree of the “experts” talking among themselves, in blind ignorance of ordinary people.

But even when the right people are listened to, that is not necessarily the panacea to the issue.

Something we certainly need is more Indigenous people working in our hospitals and our allied health services, as the end result of greater training and educational opportunities.

Albury Wodonga Health put to the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples this week that it wants more Indigenous staff.

It should be acknowledged for its commitment to “fast-track” such efforts.