4 September 2024

Did you know it is essential to ask every patient about their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin?

Asking patients when they arrive at our organisation if they are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin provides an opportunity for patients to self-report their Indigenous status and is an important requirement for all health services.

To support staff in asking the question, a video has been developed in collaboration with our health service partners in the North East Metro Health Service Partnership. This short video explains the benefits of asking the question as well as provides a patient lens on how to ask the question.

Asking this question allows us to offer appropriate services and ensure they are connected with the right networks including Ngarra Jarra, our Aboriginal Health Liaison Unit.

Staff are required to ask every patient, every time they visit our health service if they have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.

First Nation cultures are the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Cultural factors such as language, identity, spirituality, connection to family, community and Country positively impact the lives and health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples.

Cultural safety continues to be a priority for Austin Health and is a Spotlight Initiative for the second year of our Strategic Plan. Cultural safety is essential for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to facilitate access to healthcare and improved health outcomes.

Aboriginal health and wellbeing are in everyone’s hands, and we all need to be involved and understand it.