We know that for many Aboriginal people, inequity exists in the health system leading to shorter life expectancy, other adverse health outcomes such as chronic health conditions, and poor access to, and a lack of, culturally appropriate services. This inequity has endured for generations alongside racism and intergenerational trauma.
The communities that make up Western Australia are very diverse, and we all benefit from that diversity in our lives, families, workplaces and society. However, research and consultation feedback demonstrate that health services don’t always fully reflect diversity, and the discrimination, harassment and hostility experienced by LGBTIQA+ people in many parts of everyday life can also impact on equitable access to, and experience of engaging with, health services.
In our own survey, 63 per cent of LGBTIQA+ people who responded reported feeling unsafe in a health care setting. This can lead to important information not being disclosed to health providers and timely and appropriate health care not being accessed.
WA Primary Health Alliance strives to address inequity through our commitment to Closing the Gap targets and the Quintuple Aim for Health Care Improvement and recognises that the most effective services are those that people feel safe to use. Additionally, we are committed to becoming a more diverse and inclusive workplace than we already are, so that all our staff feel confident, safe and valued.
I am delighted to present the first two of three foundational documents that will guide our journey towards cultural competency, diversity and inclusion. A third Framework, focusing on multicultural communities, is in development, that we hope to launch later this year.
