Support First Nations Health Practitioner
Project Overview
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are significantly over-represented in emergency departments across Australia. This over-representation is coupled with a concerning trend of self-discharge, primarily due to feelings of cultural unsafety in healthcare settings.
This issue highlights the urgent need for culturally appropriate care to ensure First Nations patients receive medical attention in a way that respects their cultural values and practices. Moreover, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience worse health outcomes than the general population, underscoring the need to bridge the gap in healthcare access and quality.
Introducing a First Nations Health Practitioner to the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Emergency Department is a crucial step in addressing these disparities and ensuring a more culturally responsive healthcare environment.
The Urgent Need for Culturally Safe Emergency Care
%
times higher
%
Improving Health Outcomes for First Nations Patients
First Nations Health Practitioners are trained medical professionals with the cultural competence and understanding needed to provide both clinically effective and culturally safe care. Their presence in the emergency department will create a more welcoming environment, helping to reduce self-discharge rates and improve overall health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
By bridging the gap between Western medical practices and Indigenous cultural needs, this new team member will open new pathways of care that foster trust, engagement and better patient experiences. This initiative is a vital step toward ensuring that all patients feel safe, supported, and respected in their healthcare journey.
Why Support a First Nations Health Practitioner at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital?
Your support for the introduction of a First Nations Health Practitioner at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital will be instrumental in transforming the care provided to First Nations communities in and around the Hornsby area.
By championing this initiative, you will help create a healthcare environment that is inclusive, respectful, and responsive to the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
Together, we can work towards a future where all patients feel culturally safe and supported.
