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.
Aboriginal Liaison Officers wear distinctive ochre or dark red shirts with this design on it which is easily identified by both staff and clients.
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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
Mrs Margaret Hampton
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
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