A new campaign designed to deliver culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has been unveiled by Northern Sydney Local Health District.
The Ask the Question animation is a video aimed at encouraging all staff across NSLHD to understand the importance of identification of consumers and clients of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.
Attendees experienced Aboriginal culture from the very start with a range of delicious food from the Meat Brothers’ Corey Grech, while MC Marlene Cummins treated the crowd to some acapella jazz.
Dancers from Koomurri shared their art, even inviting some of the braver crowd members to learn how it’s done.
The focus then turned to the first play of the animation, which was an initiative from the District’s Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol team’s efforts with assistance from the Aboriginal Health Unit.
NSLHD Clinical Lead for Aboriginal Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Michelle Lawrence led the campaign with the aim of increasing the amount of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identifying at NSLHD.
"The omission of culture in providing care can leave our people feeling disrespected and without adequate support, which means they are less likely to seek future treatment," she said.
"Asking the question allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples access to a range of specialist services such as Bungee Bidgel, our Aboriginal health clinic at Hornsby, mental health services, or to receive more appropriately tailored care in the hospital environment."
