Aboriginal health services

Our Aboriginal health team helps us provide culturally appropriate care and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The team is available to answer any questions you or your family may have about your hospital care.

Emergency Department support

Our team are available to assist people attending the Emergency Department to help them have a culturally safe experience and ensure culturally appropriate referral pathways are completed, if required.

To find out more on the Emergency Department journey and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, view this video.

Inpatient support

When you are an inpatient in the hospital, our team can be involved with your care. Our role is to work with you to provide cultural support, answer any questions you may have about your care and assist with preparing for your discharge.

Through this process, we are here to support you and help make your journey as smooth as possible.

Integrated Team Care

The Integrated Team Care (ITC) program is delivered across WA to support eligible Aboriginal patients to access the care they need.

When you are in hospital, please mention to the Aboriginal health team if you are linked up with an ITC provider, so that we can ensure effective coordination of your care.

Aboriginal health services

In addition to our general inpatient care, we also have dedicated services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients including:

• The Lions Eye Institute Midland Eye Service, based at the hospital, provides the early assessment of a range of eye conditions enabling early referral and surgery.
• PATCHES Paediatric service identifies children with early learning and developmental problems.
• Moort Boodjari Mia is a maternity support program for families having a baby that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Discharge planning

As part of your stay in hospital, it is very important to prepare early for your discharge. To assist with this, we need to find out who your doctor/health service is, whether you live alone or have family (in case you may need support at home), and whether you may need ongoing health support.

We will also work with you to identify your local services and GP in your area, if you need a referral to support your health needs.

Outpatient support

If you have been an inpatient at the hospital, you are provided the option of receiving outpatient support from the Aboriginal health team.

Our Aboriginal Family Support Officer will chat to you about your discharge plan.

They may also liaise with any health providers who you have been referred to in the community, to ensure they have been in contact with you and to assist you in understanding health information.

If you have any outpatient appointments at the hospital, our team is also available to support you at your appointment, including telehealth appointments.

Transport

If you are having any issues with travelling to your appointments, our Aboriginal health team is available to identify transport options.

If you live in the Wheatbelt area and are linked in with the Wheatbelt Aboriginal Health Service (WAHS), you may be eligible for transport assistance.

Please speak to WAHS for further information and a referral.

The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) is available for patients living more than 100 kilometres kms from the nearest metropolitan hospital. For more information, please speak to the Aboriginal health team.