What is Accurate Identification?
Metro North Health has a commitment to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of the National Close the Gap campaign and legislated Health Equity agenda.
There is still an unacceptable gap in health status and life expectancy. To ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive services, cultural support and care the right way, health staff must ask the question – “Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?”.
Staff must ask this question every time a patient/consumer presents to our health services unless coming regularly for a course of treatment such as dialysis. This is to ensure your records are accurate and that you receive the appropriate care. Staff cannot rely on appearance and the only way to know is to ask.
By accurately identifying, we can provide individual care through healthcare service delivery, referrals and linkages to services designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Please remember, you can amend your identification status at any time through your journey with Metro North Health.
By identifying you will:
- Be taken care of on your healthcare journey, from hospital to community.
- Have access to enhanced screening measures, additional immunisations and referral pathways within the community.
- Have access to cultural support from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers.
- Help Close the Gap on health outcomes and improve health research, programs and intervention initiatives.
Your Privacy
Please be assured that your personal information is protected and used appropriately by Metro North Health’s Privacy Policy and Privacy Laws.
How you will be asked
If you are attending one of our hospitals or facilities, staff will ask “Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?” either verbally or on a form.
If you cannot answer due to being too ill to respond or under the age of 15, the question will be asked of the parent, guardian, carer or responsible accompanying adult.
Please be respectful of staff and understand that they have been directed to ask the question to ensure you receive the appropriate services, cultural support and care.
Accurate Identification Campaign
The Accurate Identification Campaign was launched during NAIDOC Week in July 2016. The Campaign title ‘Identification: It’s your right to a healthier life’ was aimed at highlighting the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients identifying when accessing Metro North Health.
Metro North Health has committed to removing barriers and improving health outcomes as part of the Health Equity Strategy.
Campaign Phase 1
In 2016, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team (A&TSILT) launched phase 1 of the campaign focused on encouraging staff to ask the question every time a patient is admitted for accurate recording and linkage to culturally supportive services for the patient.
The initial campaign included ‘proud to identify’ t-shirts for consumers, ‘Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Origin’ shirts for Metro North Health employees/champions, stickers to prompt health professionals to initiate referrals to culturally appropriate services and a training package for staff to educate Metro North Health staff on the importance of identifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the correct processes.
To ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive services, cultural support and care the right way, health staff must ask the question – “Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?”.
Hundreds of staff members from across administration, clinical and operational areas signed up to support the message within their workplace by attending specific training and creating a safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients through signage, brochures and wearing the specially designed staff shirts.
In 2019, a tailored Accurate Identification workgroup was established to investigate the current level of accuracy of the “Indigenous Status (Not Stated/inadequately described)” and a tailored training package has been developed for Administration stream staff.
There are a number of facilitators conducting Identification training to administration staff throughout Metro North Health.
Campaign Phase 2
In 2020, Metro North Health unveiled phase 2 of the Accurate Identification Campaign designed to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers to feel safe, supported and proud to identify when accessing our hospitals and facilities.
Several resources were developed, including posters, fact sheets and brochures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and consumers to educate on why staff must ask the question and to assist with any hesitancy in answering the question. Due to historical impacts and inter-generational trauma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers can feel unsafe, distrust and shame when identifying their heritage due to stigma and fear of the health system.
The Accurate Identification Campaign phase 2 messages, promotions and education to consumers and community are all supported via online platforms including the Better Together – Our Health, Our Way Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn social media pages to increase health literacy knowledge, important health promotion messages and Metro North Health initiatives and events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Resources
