Aboriginal Health Unit

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Unit

While the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people remains substantially poorer than that of Australians as a whole, prevention and early intervention strategies are an important part of the Region's Aboriginal Health Strategy. The Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Unit has developed partnerships with other health providers and is an advocate for Aboriginal Health in South Australia.

A small team of Aboriginal Liaison Officers visit all Aboriginal inpatients with the aim of ensuring their medical, practical and cultural needs are met while at the WCH. The Unit also offers a place for Aboriginal people to gather whilst visiting the WCH and staff of the Unit act as a cultural broker to staff of the WCH and to clients.

(Left to Right): Janice Braun Manager, Bonnie Sansbury Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Sarah Lindsay Aboriginal Liaison Officer

Taikurendi is the Kaurna word for "Together in Partnership". The design represents the many hands helping Aboriginal patients and their families through these partnerships both within and external to the hospital.

How to access the service

Referrals can be made to the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Unit by:

WCH nursing, medical, allied health or other staff
other Aboriginal health services/workers
other major hospitals, local and interstate

Information for Families

Information patients and their families should know:

Bring warm clothing for winter
Have accommodation booked by referring agency (eg: PAT IPTAS) either at Hostels or Samuel Way Building (nurses home at WCH)
Bring ID (Health Care Card, pension card, drivers license, Medicare card)
Ensure they have finance on them or key card, bank details
Step Down only provides transport to and from medical appointments for those patients who are staying in Aboriginal Hostels and the Samuel Way Building
Orientation of the hospital will be conducted by Aboriginal Liaison Officers
Please also note that food is not able to be provided for escort

(Step Down is a Non-medical service for Aboriginal people from rural and remote communities who travel to Adelaide for acute services care - including transport and accommodation coordination)

Hours

8.30am - 4.30pm weekdays

Emergency after hours assistance is available.

Contact Information

Unit Head

Manager, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Unit Janice Braun

Location

Lower Ground Floor, Good Friday Building

Mailing Address

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Unit
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road
North Adelaide
South Australia 5006

Phone/Fax/Email

Ph (08) 8161 7036 or (08) 8161 6237, pager 18130

Last Modified: 13-09-2012 15:43:16
URL: http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/services/az/other/aboriginal/index.html
Printed from the Women's and Childrens WWW site.