The RBWH Indigenous Hospital Liaison Service supports and advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and carers, which can include ensuring an understanding for the reason of hospitalisation and the importance of treatment.
In 2011, each Hospital and Health Services (HHS) established their own Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health teams. And since 2019, the Indigenous Hospital Liaison Office has been located on level 1 of the Ned Hanlon Building, however getting there was a winding road.
Many years ago, the service’s office sat on level 5 of the Ned Hanlon Building and was called the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Liaison Service’. Then later in 2015, it was called the ‘Community Indigenous Subacute Service’ and formed part of Metro North’s Community and Oral Health division.
However, since a major consultation in 2019, the Indigenous Hospital Liaison Service now sits under the governance of the Executive Director of Allied Health Professions.
“For some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, the experience of coming to hospital can be re-traumatising because the physical environment bears resemblance to the facilities where they were forcibly taken as children of the Stolen Generation,” Layla Scott, Manager Health Equity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Management Team said.
Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officers support their mob during their journey through hospital, and the Indigenous Hospital Liaison Office is an important part of creating a culturally safe place in the hospital environment. Delivering sustainable, culturally safe and responsive healthcare services is one of the priorities of the Metro North Health Equity Strategy.
Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer (IHLO) profile – Aunty Janet
Aunty Janet in the Indigenous Health Liaison Service office at RBWH.
As an elder of Gumbayngirr Nation, mid-north coast of New South Wales, Aunty Janet has spent most of her life caring for her community.
Throughout her career as a social worker, university lecturer and tutor, and senior public servant, she has worked throughout Australia and has travelled all over Queensland, including to the Torres Strait.
Aunty Janet holds a master’s degree in social work and has almost half a century of experience working in government and community organisations, she has been at RBWH for nine years as an afterhours Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer.
“I enjoy my job because it allows me to give back to our people by doing my best to ensure their needs are met and they are satisfied with their engagement with RBWH,” Aunty Janet said.
“The IHLO position allows me to meet people from various places and histories, so I am always learning. Working with clinical and allied health staff is also enjoyable as it teaches me to value my good health and it assists others to get the best out of health services in RBWH.”
For any assistance with cross-cultural support and communication while working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, contact the Indigenous Health Liaison Office on 36464154 or via RBWH_IHLS_Referal@health.qld.gov.au.
Day officers are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm. The afterhours IHLO is available Monday to Friday, 1pm to 8.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am to 6.30pm.