Promoting theBenefits <strong>of</strong> aMulticultural ServiceCultural DiversityWhilst almost 87 per cent <strong>of</strong> thepopulation <strong>of</strong> the Grampians regionare born in Australia, we do have asignificant group <strong>of</strong> people who havechosen to make Australia and ourregion their home. Over the past 12months a number <strong>of</strong> families havesettled into <strong>Ballarat</strong> following theirarrival from Togo in West Africa. Thesefamilies have established themselves inthe community with children attendingboth primary and secondary schoolsand all families have become activelyinvolved with their school and churchcommunities as well as the <strong>Ballarat</strong>African Association.Community sectors responded well totheir arrival, with health pr<strong>of</strong>essionalsand service providers working togetherto ensure a smooth transition for thesefamilies into our community. <strong>Ballarat</strong><strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> is a partner in thisprogram and supports other localhealth providers by delivering acutehealth services as required.Cultural Diversity CommitteeThe Cultural Diversity Committee,established in June 2006, encouragescommunity representatives fromculturally diverse backgrounds. Theinvolvement <strong>of</strong> BHS on a number <strong>of</strong>committees in the community hasenabled us to develop a betterunderstanding <strong>of</strong> the cultural needs <strong>of</strong>all members <strong>of</strong> the community. As aresult we have implemented greateruse <strong>of</strong> interpreter services andtranslation cards across the healthservice. In June 2008 we took part in a‘Multicultural Conversation’ inpartnership with the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ballarat</strong> todiscuss what we do well and where wecan improve to ensure we are providingour services in a culturally appropriateway for all <strong>of</strong> our consumers.BHS and <strong>Ballarat</strong> and District AboriginalCooperative (BADAC) PartnershipAgreement continues to focus toimprove the health outcomes for theAboriginal community within theGrampians region.One <strong>of</strong> the major priorities <strong>of</strong> thePartnership Agreement has focused onreducing barriers to access forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople living in the Grampians region.The 17 year life expectancy gapbetween Aborigines and otherAustralians can be attributed, at leastpartly, to their inability to access healthservices due to some or all <strong>of</strong> thesebarriers. In the 21st century we are stillseeing health conditions and healthoutcomes for Aboriginal people similarto those experienced by non-Aboriginalpeople in the 1920’s.The Partnership Agreement Taskforcehas implemented initiatives andstrategies to break down barriers toaccess, promote greater understanding<strong>of</strong> health priorities by key clinicians andimprove data collection. BHS, inconjunction with BADAC, hasconsidered the needs <strong>of</strong> the localAboriginal community and developed anumber <strong>of</strong> key roles within the healthservice to support and enhance accessto services.Key achievements include:• The Aboriginal flag was raised at thefront <strong>of</strong> the hospital during NationalAboriginal Islander Day ObservanceCommittee (NAIDOC) week 2007 tohighlight the awareness <strong>of</strong> thepartnership to improve Aboriginalhealth in the Grampians regiontogether with increasedunderstanding and communicationbetween BHS and BADAC;• improved community relationsbetween BHS and the Aboriginalcommunity;• joint planning <strong>of</strong> servicedevelopments;• Initiatives to ensure clients attendOutpatient Departmentappointments at BHS. Throughcollaboration between the BADAChealth clinic, BHS and the clients, thefail to attend rate has decreasedfrom around 40 per cent to 15-20per cent, which is in line with theaverage <strong>of</strong> all clients.• A weekly health clinic staffed by theBHS Aboriginal Midwife, locatedwithin BADAC, and run inconjunction with the Maternal andChild <strong>Health</strong> Nurse Programmanaged by the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ballarat</strong>,continues to be very well attended bynew mums and their children.• BHS staff participated in a PatientRegistration Training pilot program toimprove accuracy <strong>of</strong> data for allpatients on admission includingcomprehensively collectinginformation about the Aboriginalcommunity’s health needs.The Partnership Agreement and theTaskforce will continue planning toensure the identification andimplementation <strong>of</strong> strategies andinitiatives to improve access and reducebarriers for the Aboriginal communityto reduce the gap between healthoutcomes and life expectancycompared with all Australians.Job restores hope and pride for African refugee:Sudan’s Francis Laki has got his life back on track. The 48-year-old refugee has a job,he has his dreams and, most important, he has his pride. It is a wonderful change fora man who, just four months ago, had none <strong>of</strong> these things after coming to <strong>Ballarat</strong>in 2006. Determined to provide a better life for wife, Flora and their three children,Mr Laki reached out to <strong>Ballarat</strong> employment program, African BEAT.The initiative, designed to assist people from a refuge background, provides applicantswith training, work experience and job opportunities. With the co-operation <strong>of</strong><strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, African BEAT employment support <strong>of</strong>ficer WilbertMapombere placed Mr Laki in its environmental services department in October lastyear. Mr Laki’s duties at <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> include cleaning and meal delivery.9 <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 2007-08
'Underbank Stud’Two Day CampThis camp was run by Carol Trusler amidwife from <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong>,Elspeth Rowe a maternal and childhealth nurse from the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ballarat</strong>and Lorraine Gittings a family therapistfrom the <strong>Ballarat</strong> and DistrictAboriginal Co-operative.The mum’s and bubs group from thehealth clinic located within BADACcame up with the idea and sourcedwhere to obtain the funding. The staffput in a submission to The <strong>Ballarat</strong>Foundation requesting a grant whichoutlined the benefits <strong>of</strong> the project.The mum’s were looking for time awayfrom the issues they face daily. Thecamp gave the staff a uniqueopportunity to model parenting,discuss sensitive issues in a safeconfidential environment such asrelationships, time to connect with theother women in the group and buildon support, share ideas and for someenjoy peace and quiet. There was alsopractical time in the kitchen sharingcooking tips and recipes."Camp was a wonderful experience.The timing was perfect. It was nice tospend time with the other mothersfrom our "Mums and Bub's" group. Itwas also great to spend some one-toonetime with Sophie (12 month old).The early morning walks werewonderful and I felt so much peaceand tranquility while knowing Sophiewas being watched. The highlight forme was horse riding. I didn't think Icould still do it. It all came back like Iwas young again, I think I had to bedragged <strong>of</strong>f the horse. I am so thankfulI was able to go and felt blessed tohave had this experience. Many thanksto all involved in making this trippossible." From a participant at thecamp.Sincere thanks to THE BALLARATFOUNDATION for their grant that madethis great opportunity a reality.I am so thankful I was able to go and felt blessed to have had thisexperience. Many thanks to all involved in making this trip possible.From a camp participant<strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 2007-08 10
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