View in browser Improving health equity; at the heart of what we do By Learne Durrington, CEO, WA Primary Health AllianceMost of us don’t have to think twice about being accepted for who we are without prejudice whether at work, in our personal lives, or when accessing health care. Unfortunately, f
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Improving health equity; at the heart of what we do

By Learne Durrington, CEO, WA Primary Health Alliance


Most of us don’t have to think twice about being accepted for who we are without prejudice whether at work, in our personal lives, or when accessing health care. Unfortunately, for people who are Aboriginal, who have diverse bodies and identities, or who have a multicultural background, this is all too often not their experience.

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.

Read the Aboriginal Framework
Read the LGBTIQA+ Framework

These Frameworks, along with our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, QIC Health and Community Standards accreditation, Quality in Practice accreditation and Rainbow Tick accreditation, commit us to a three-year timeframe, working internally, with services we commission, and with other primary health care services, to support, and learn from, their journeys to developing cultural competency.


WA Primary Health Alliance is committed to moving towards authentic partnerships with Aboriginal communities, LGBTIQA+ communities and multicultural communities and we will use these Frameworks and their respective implementation plans to hold ourselves accountable to our Board, staff and community members.


In closing, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution to these first two Frameworks of Kambarang Services and Prism Consulting, our reference groups and staff, community members, service providers and representative organisations.

In other related news

 

Aboriginal Health Strategy released


WA Primary Health Alliance was pleased to launch in November 2022 its Aboriginal Health Strategy 2021-2023, which serves as a blueprint for strategic commissioning. The Strategy will guide staff in making transparent, consistent purchasing decisions, within the scope determined by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.


Read more

New gender diverse HealthPathway


Recognising the critical need for trans, gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB) people to be able access appropriate and inclusive healthcare, our HeathPathways WA team has  developed a Transgender Health and Gender Diversity HealthPathway.


Read more

TGDNB GP education series


Our HealthPathways WA team is partnering with the Child and Adolescent Health Service, East Metropolitan Health Service and TransFolk of WA to present GPs with a unique opportunity to broaden their knowledge and understanding of trans, gender diverse and non-binary health.

Register for one or all three sessions

 

In case you missed it

 

New care finder service targets senior Australians needing an enhanced level of assistance to interact with the Australian Government’s My Aged Care system and access aged care community supports.

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headspace Albany has expanded their premises, creating greater opportunities to support more young people and their families in a safe, inclusive and confidential space.

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headspace Hedland has opened its doors, providing young people, their families and friends access to youth friendly support for their mental health and wellbeing.

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New suicide prevention funding will allow WA Primary Health Alliance to commission targeted initiatives across Western Australia, following tried and tested systems-based approaches.

Read more

 

 

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