They are supported by: Tavia Bernsdorff - Executive Officer, Kuibuz Adidi - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Manager, Mary Florance - CNC, Ruby Van Kool - Integrated Team Care, Barbara Triantafilis - Registered Nurse, Jami Seale - Registered Nurse, Mervyn Holmes-Wighton - Aboriginal Population Health Trainee, Melinda Flower - Aboriginal Liaison Officer, and Adam Cryer - Project Manager Community Inclusion and Capacity Building.
They are committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using our health services have access to culturally safe, respectful, sensitive and appropriate care.
The team work from the Aboriginal definition of health and treat patients holistically:
“Aboriginal health means not just the physical well-being of an individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural well-being of the whole Community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being thereby bringing about the total well-being of their Community"
What we do
The service can assist in coordinating and providing advice on matters relating to improving the health and social and emotional wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The service provides consultation and advice to health services across NSLHD that engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. This enables the provision of culturally safe and respectful services to the community.
Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO)
The Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) provides social, emotional and cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients admitted to hospitals across NSLHD.
The ALO can accompany patients when talking to heath professionals to understand medical procedures and link them in with appropriate services and support programs.
48- hour Follow-up
A 48-hour follow-up service is provided by a registered nurse to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients discharged from hospital within NSLHD. The nurse will call to check in with how patients are coping post-discharge, ensure they understand discharge instructions and assist with linking in to appropriate services.
Community Wellbeing
We run a range of activities through the year to keep mob healthy and staying connected. To stay up to date, visit our Facebook page or get in touch with the service.
A Women’s Health & Wellness Day is run twice a year which provides a chance to get valuable health checks and meet other community members.
The NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service Men`s Yarning Tea events are focused around identifying men`s needs and what they would like to come out of the men`s community gatherings. We provide an opportunity to connect or reconnect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to community and services as well as providing as culturally safe and respectful space to open up and yarn without judgement.
