ED Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
Adj Assoc Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive, MN Health
Metro North pays its respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Traditional Custodians of this country. We acknowledge spiritual connection to Country and pay our respect to elders past present and emerging.
Tomorrow on Australia Day, Metro North acknowledges that for some it is a public holiday to spend with family and friends, for others it is an opportunity to celebrate life in a new country, and more broadly a day to recognise as a nation the achievements of its people. However, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, community and our Elders, it can be a day that reminds them of trauma and hurt experienced by their ancestors and still being experienced today.
As we work toward achieving health equity, we must acknowledge the reasons for the creation of our legislated document the Metro North Health Equity Strategy. Please reflect on the Key Performance Areas and acknowledge the many determinants that have led to health inequities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience:
- KPA 1: Actively eliminating racial discrimination and institutional racism within the service
- KPA 2: Increasing access to healthcare services
- KPA 3: Delivering sustainable, culturally safe and responsive healthcare services
- KPA 4: Influencing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health
- KPA 5: Working with First Nations peoples, communities, and organisations to design, deliver, monitor and review health services.
We encourage all supervisors to reflect on how staff may be feeling and provide individual support this week.
How can you support a more inclusive experience in your workplace?
- 6 ways to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Australians this Survival Day
- Attend and encourage staff involvement in local cultural events and activities within your facility throughout the year.
- Learn more about the local Aboriginal history where your service is situated.
- Familiarise yourself with the Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025.
We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on what this day means to you and how you can contribute to creating an equitable and culturally safe service in your workplace.
We are committed to celebration our collective achievement and recognising the value of diversity in our communities. We also commit to delivering co-designed and culturally safe services that meet the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and look forward to continuing to build and strengthen relationships based on inclusion with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
Regards,
Jackie and Sherry