Published on 17 March 2022

Western Health respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our sites stand. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Western Health is committed to the healing of country, working towards equality of health outcomes and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

 

Western Health believes equitable access to health care is a fundamental right.

As a health service, we have an important role to play in closing the gap in health outcomes and life expectancy that exists between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.

We are committed to taking meaningful action to ensure our First Nations Australians have an equitable voice and enjoy long and healthy lives.

To achieve this, we know that more needs to be done, and done differently.

That’s why we are an official signatory to the National Close the Gap Statement of Intent.

On National Close the Gap Day, I want to share some of the ways Wilim Berrbang and Western Health are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to design and deliver policies, programs and services that affect them:

We are:

  • Creating welcoming and culturally sensitive birthing and postnatal rooms at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies.
  • Providing continuity of care to First Nations women and their families through the Galinjera Maternity Program.
  • Increasing the capacity of Wilim Berrbang to provide services to our First Nation patients. In a Western Health first, we have created a new Journey Walker role to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families and carers. I’m pleased to introduce nurse and proud Wiradjuri woman, Ashleigh Vandenberg.
    We have also appointed a Research Fellow in Aboriginal Health, Dr Kunal Dhiman, who starts later this month. Dr Dhiman will support Western Health to engage in research that drives improvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient options and outcomes.
  • Operating a dedicated culturally safe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outpatient Clinic, which was shaped by Western Health and Deakin University research.

We also look forward to sharing our 2022 – 2025 Cultural Safety Plan, which outlines Western Health’s commitment to building on the efforts and progress we have made in our previous cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment plans. These plans support our commitment to providing culturally safe care and articulate how we can attract First Nation candidates to our growing health service and support these employees to thrive in their roles.