Today marks the start of National Reconciliation Week (27th May – 3rd June). This year’s NRW theme is ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’, which asks us to move beyond awareness to take action. Western Sydney has one of the largest urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in the nation, and supporting Aboriginal health in our region is a health priority.
As a health sector, we have a vital role in ensuring that First Nations people have access to inclusive, culturally appropriate health services. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves and adapt programs that respond to the needs of all patients.
In NSW, over half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have at least one chronic condition, and nationally, Indigenous Australians experience a burden of disease 2.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians. 73% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also believe more must be done to close the equality gap in the health sector.
This NRW lets celebrate the work of health providers and professionals working tirelessly to bridge the gap and improve Aboriginal health in Western Sydney. Collectively, we must take action to create a just, equitable health system for our community.
WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, is dedicated to improving Aboriginal health in our region. The following are some examples of services we have commissioned and the positive outcomes they have had on the community.
Marrin Weejali
Marrin Weejali is an Aboriginal community organisation providing culturally safe alcohol, other drug and non-acute mental health counselling, referral and advocacy services to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Western Sydney.
Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program
The Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program improves health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic health conditions through access to care coordination, multidisciplinary care and self-management support. The program also provides cultural awareness training to medical professionals.
The Shed
Aboriginal males have the highest suicide rate in Australia. The Shed is a safe, welcoming environment where people can share their stories in a non-judgemental setting. The service assists with mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and connects people to mental health services, Centrelink, housing, legal and therapeutic services.
Baabayn
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation connects community members to services that help them heal from their past experiences and trauma. The organisation is embedded within the Western Sydney community and supports individuals and families to develop their self-esteem and realise their potential.
Find out more about Aboriginal targeted services in Western Sydney on the WentWest website. WentWest also commissions a range of service providers in Western Sydney servicing the entire region.