Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet Kellyand not to assign blame. Together we discussed the possibilities within PARand all agreed that it met the criteria. After spending considerable timediscussing the issues through interviews and focus groups, we began ourcollaboration by mapping what was already resourced (the clinics and primarycare programs), where there were gaps (comprehensive and women centredprograms). Using butcher’s paper, white boards and note pads, we thenconsidered possible referrals, services and resources. Being pragmatic, wechose four priority areas that were achievable, met organisational andprofessional goals and could be supported by management. These were;working with other agencies to improve networks and referral pathways,promoting the health service and introducing new staff members, working withlocal Aboriginal women, and young Aboriginal women. We set long and shortterm goals that could enable us to meet immediate client needs (the women’shealth days), while also advocating for more sustainable change (involvementof other agencies to support ongoing women’s and well being groups).Inclusions and exclusions, collaboration and OtheringAs a nurse researcher I was in the privileged position of being able to watch,hear and interact with a diverse range of community and health professionalco-researchers during the development of the Aboriginal NeighbourhoodHouse and Aboriginal Outreach Health Service. I observed that specificcircumstances, policies, practices and actions contributed to the communitywomen in Collaboration Area One being involved in collaboration and healthcare programs, or positioned as the Other, leading to decreased health careaccess. Discussing these highlights some aspects that influence whetherAboriginal clients become involved in health service programs or not.The Aboriginal women co-researchers from Collaboration One experienced aperiod of collaboration and inclusion from 2000 – 2002 that they valuedstrongly. In 2002/3 they attended the Aboriginal Mothers’ Group provided atthe Gilles Plains Community Health Service. This was a comprehensive,women’s focused primary health care program. Two of the women were alsoinvolved in a grass roots project envisioning the development of a localAboriginal Neighbourhood House. This collaborative process brought together254