Thursday March 21 is National Close the Gap Day.
Closing the gap is a national agreement to overcome inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and achieve life outcomes equal to non-Indigenous Australians.
Each year progress on the 19 national socio-economic targets across areas that have an impact on life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is reported.
They range from ensuring babies are born at a healthy birthweight, supporting children to thrive, and ensuring there are appropriate pathways for education and employment.
Progress has been made, but it has been too slow and the gap is still too wide.
For instance, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still have a life expectancy that is 10-11 less than non-Indigenous Australians.
Western Health has a growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and is committed to self-determination.
As part of our efforts to close the gap we are incredibly proud of the culturally responsive care options we have designed to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients receive respectful, high-quality care with greater access and choice.
These include:
The Galinjera Maternity Program
A small team of dedicated midwives and doctors, who provide culturally-safe continuous care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and babies. You can read more about how this service is improving outcomes for our community on our website.
Babaneek Booboop Program
A program promoting the health and developmental outcomes of First Nations children in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs (the City of Melton and Moorabool Shire). Establishing and building on strong networks, the program supports children and their families in their engagement with child health and promotes cultural safety in health.
It won the Excellence in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Award at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards in 2023. Read more.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outpatient Clinic
A culturally safe, general medicine stream clinic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with chronic health conditions who do not require urgent care.
It is designed to provide a wrap-around service for patients with longer appointment times, a multidisciplinary focus, assistance with any barriers to attending and the individualised support and advocacy of an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO). Read more.
Wilim Berrbang Manager (Acting) Ashleigh Vandenberg and Wiradjuri woman said that everyone has a part to play in helping us achieve health equity for all Australians.
“We all have a role to play in closing the gap and our actions can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and society more broadly,” Ashleigh said.
New support for Aboriginal Menal Health consumers
To improve the way we support consumers and their families seeking support with their mental health and wellbeing, Western Health has appointed our first Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer in Wilim Berrbang.
Maddie DePetro (pictured right) is from the Yorta Yorta & Dja Dja Warrung clan and is passionate about ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients feel heard within the healthcare system.
Read more about Maddie’s role.
Referrals can be made to Maddie via the Wilim.Berrbang@wh.org.au, via phone on 0482 130 724, or on EMR select: Aboriginal health- Other- Request AMHLO support.