In March 2008, the Cultural Diversity Program amalgamated with the Aboriginal Health Program to become the Cultural Diversity and Aboriginal Health Unit.
The new department demonstrates Western Health's commitment to the health and wellbeing of our patients, their familiees and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal backgrounds.
Aboriginal Victorians still continue to experience poorer health and lower life expectancy than the general community.
Over the past 12 months, Western Health has been busy reviewing, implementing and planning Aboriginal health services. Some of our achievements include:
* establishing an Aboriginal Health Advisory Committee that is co-chaired by a senior member of staff and the CEO of the Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Place
* our women's and children's services working more closely with the local Aboriginal Community Development worker employed by the Western Region Health Service and ISIS Primary Care. This work provided a platform for new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to be supported and linked to community services after they have had their babies.
* training Western Health staff at orientation sessions and at in-services about the importance of thinking about culture
* the addition of an Aboriginal Liaison Officer to work closely with staff and patients.