abstracts and bios cover_final.indd - LIME Network

Mr Malcolm HeffernanMalcolm is from the Anmatjere and Northern Arrernte tribes but has strong familyties with the Eastern Arrernte language group as well. He speaks a number of CentralAustralian Aboriginal Languages which consists of Eastern Arrernte, Anmatjere andPitjantjara as well as English. Malcolm became a registered Aboriginal Health Workerwith the Northern Territory Government in 1984 where he was based at Ti Tree WellRoadhouse. Within this job he covered a vast area between Ti Tree six mile, Ti TreeStation, Stirling, Barrow Creek, Nuetral Junction, Aileron and Napperby up until 1993.He later graduated as a qualified Aboriginal Interpreter and during his studies with theInstitute of Aboriginal Development Malcolm was granted employment as an AboriginalLiaison Officer within the Aboriginal Support Services Unit at the Alice Springs Hospital in 2004. Malcolm’srole within the ASSU requires him to provide interpreting and cultural brokerage services to Aboriginalpatients, their families and medical staff at the hospital.Exploring some success stories from hospitals successfully responding to Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander peopleMs Angela Clarke 1 , Mr John Willis 2 , Mr Alwin Chong 3 , Ms Lyn McInnes 41. Deputy Director/Lecturer, Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, The University of Melbourne;2. Project Manager, Improving the Culture of Hospitals project, LaTrobe University;3. Research and Ethics Officer, Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia;4. Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, Department of Aboriginal Health, Geelong Hospital,Barwon HealthAbstractThe health status of Indigenous peoples is a global concern with mortality and hospitalisation data indicatingthat the health of Indigenous groups falls below that of other ethnic groups within their countries. TheAustralian Federal Government has acknowledged their responsibility to respond to this issue and ensure thatthe health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians is addressed. The Improving the Culture ofHospitals project is contributing to closing this gap by developing a range of resources, tools and guidelines toassist hospitals across Australia tackle vital cultural reforms which can improve the way they provide servicesto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.This presentation will outline the results from the initial round of case studies that were used to draft thequality improvement process, toolkit and resources. These case study results indicate that hospitals thatwere considered to be successfully addressing the issues of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpatients shared the following essential characteristics: strong partnerships with Aboriginal communities;enabling state and federal policy environments; leadership by hospital Boards, Chief Executive Officer/GeneralManager’s and key clinical staff; strategic policies within their hospitals; structural and resource supports;and commitment to supporting the Aboriginal workforce. The presentation will highlight some case examplesand emphasis how this work, when embedded in a quality improvement approach, can bring about sustainablechange.50