Acknowledgement of Country

The Aboriginal Health Service (AHS) and Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) of the Northern Sydney Local Health District would like to acknowledge the Cammeraygal people of the Guringai nations, the Wallemedegal peoples of the Dharug nations to the west the Darkinjung peoples of country to the north and the clans of the Eora nations whose country and borders surround us.

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Ancestors and Elders, both men and women of those nations, and to all Aboriginal people past, present and future.

We acknowledge that past, current and future Aboriginal people from those nations are the traditional and continuing custodians of the country upon which we work and meet and that it is from their blood, courage, pride and dignity that we are able to continue to work and meet on this ancient and sacred country.

Definition of Aboriginal Health

Aboriginal health means not just the physical wellbeing of an individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being, thereby bringing about the total wellbeing of their community.

What we learned from the MAU Forum 2014

• Kiel Hennessey’s presentation on the AMS showcased the

services for Aboriginal health in NSW.

• What service did RNSH provide for our indigenous patients?

Why was the AAU and AHS referral pathway created.

Concern that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients were not presenting to hospital when needed for fear of long waiting times at ED especially for our Chronic Disease patients

ASSESS PT AT HOME/CLINIC

IF PT FITS AAU CRITERIA CTC AAU

ADMISSIONS OFFICER 9462 2271

AAU ACCEPT PATIENT (IF DEEMED

SUITABLE) BED PREPARED

PATIENT STABLE IF RECENT/OBSERV DIRECT TO AAU IF

NOT: ED TRIGE FOR OBS ONLY IF STABLE MOVED TO AAU BED

AAU LIAISE WITH AHS - PT UPDATE 9462

9017

REFERRAL D/C SUMMARY +

ONGOING TREATMENT

Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) & Aboriginal Health Service

(AHS) Flow Chart

Reasons why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples do not present to hospitals or some other

mainstream services. Institutional and individual racism

Fear of being confined to an institution

The size, confusion and process of the health system

Distance from home or their country

Apprehension relating to privacy and confidentiality of their information

Lack of understanding of their rights and responsibilities

Lack of understanding and self esteem to request information

No access to transport services

Low literacy skills

Varying levels of health literacy

The number of relatives who have died in hospital

Embarrassed or shame

Service providers are not culturally sensitive

Feeling judged by service providers

Pathway between AAU and AHS will help to…

To reduce mortality from chronic conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by:

• improving access to services

• increasing rates of management of risk factors

• improving treatment of chronic conditions, and

• improving the quality and coordination of care throughout the patient journey

48 hour follow up phone calls

& Chronic Disease

Management Program(CDMP)

NSW Health mandates that at the first point of contact with health services, all people need to be asked the following question: “Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?”

QUESTIONS?