Consumers and community
EMHS Multicultural Plan
The WA Multicultural Policy Framework (MPF) 2020 translates the principles and objectives of the WA Charter of Multiculturalism (2004) into multicultural policy priorities, outcomes, strategies and measures for WA public sector agencies.
The WA Charter of Multiculturalism demonstrates the WA Government’s commitment to multiculturalism and a multicultural policy position that embraces all of us, and is founded on 4 principles of civic values, fairness, equality and participation.
In line with the MPF and EMHS’ ongoing commitment to provide culturally responsive services and welcoming and inclusive workplaces, the EMHS Multicultural Plan 2024 – 2027 (Plan) has been developed in consultation with internal and external stakeholders, including the EMHS Multicultural Advisory Group. Examples of EMHS’ achievements against the priorities of the Plan are outlined below.
Harmonious and inclusive communities
- Every Western Australian values cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity and feels that they belong.
A key highlight for EMHS was the co-design and co-delivery of a community event in Armadale aimed at engaging women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds. This initiative was geared towards enhancing knowledge, awareness, and participation in breast screening services, showcasing tangible outcomes of the partnership’s efforts. This included collaborating on a breastscreening modesty shawl project to support CaLD women participation in the BreastScreen WA screening program.
EMHS Population Health are also working in partnership with service providers and community associations from the Canning and Gosnells areas to complete consultations with women from CaLD backgrounds, to inform planning for culturally appropriate initiatives that address community health needs.
Culturally responsive policies, programs, and services
- All Western Australians are informed of, and have equitable access to, government services.
- Programs and services are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of all Western Australians.
- Customised CaLD specific services are provided for those who need them.
- A workforce that is culturally competent and representative of its community and business and client needs.
EMHS’ Forget Me Not Volunteer Program has strong multicultural representation. Volunteer badges now include languages spoken so patients and visitors can identify who speaks their language.
The EMHS Maternity and Newborn Service Plan has recommendations and deliverables to address the complex needs of migrant and refugee women from CaLD backgrounds.
Economic, social, cultural, civic, and political participation
- Western Australians from CaLD backgrounds are equitably represented in employment and on boards, committees, and other decision-making bodies.
- WA’s CaLD community is harnessed to grow economic, social, cultural, civic, and political development.
Training sessions in clinical incident management have been offered to members of the EMHS Multicultural Advisory Group.
Cultural safety for Aboriginal peoples
Aboriginal garden sanctuary reopens
The Aboriginal Family Garden at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) re-opened this year, providing a haven for patients and visitors.
A calming nature space, it has undercover seating, native plants and larger-than-life message sticks representing the 5 health regions serviced by RPH.
Located within the hospital grounds, the garden closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a much-missed part of the hospital.
The garden is open to all hospital visitors but EMHS Area Director Aboriginal Health, Francine Eades said it was an especially important space for Aboriginal peoples.
“Being in nature and on Country for our people has a very calming and soothing effect,” she said. “The garden is designed to replicate this.
“So frequently our people are experiencing a very sad time in their lives and having this space to sit in and take time out from sorry business and the busy pace of the hospital acts as an oasis of calm.”
In December 2023, a special bush tucker lunch was held in the garden. Aboriginal patients who were away from Country were invited to join other community members and staff in enjoying a bite to eat and the surroundings.
Culturally safe spaces
The RPH Outpatient Clinic became a culturally more welcoming place this year with the addition of new Aboriginal artwork, murals and signage.
Incorporating work by prominent artists such as the late Phil Narkle and Cory Surprise-Wakartu, the initiative aims to help Aboriginal patients feel safer attending the Goderich Street clinic and raise cultural awareness among staff and the public.
It includes an Acknowledgement of Country at the entrance, a 6 Noongar Seasons mural in Orthopaedics, signage throughout the building and an Aboriginal Acute Care Coordination Team infographic.
The artwork is part of a RPH At Risk Aboriginal Clients Outpatients Reform project.
“The ongoing initiative focuses on building awareness of consumers’ culturally specific concerns and to support staff to improve their cultural competency through enhancing their cultural knowledge, skills and experiences,” Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG) Executive Director Ben Noteboom said.
Celebrating Aboriginal art and stories
Rare Aboriginal artwork from the RPH art collection was on display at a special exhibition in August 2023.
The exhibition in the RPH Sir Claude Hotchin Art Gallery was named after the NAIDOC Week 2023 theme, For Our Elders, and was open to the public for 6 weeks.
It showcased more than 30 pieces of art by some of Australia’s most acclaimed Aboriginal artists dating back to 1935.
These included artwork by Western Arrernte artist, the late Albert Namatjira and bark paintings by Rirratjingu clan leader, the late Mawalan Marika and senior Gumatj cultural leader, the late Mungurrawuy Yunupingu.
EMHS Area Director Aboriginal Health, Francine Eades, told guests at the opening the collection was incredibly moving.
“I’ve visited the Louvre in Paris and I didn’t get the same feeling as when I walked through our exhibition here,” she said.
RPBG Aboriginal Health Liaison Service Coordinator, Ken Nicholls, said art was an important part of telling Aboriginal people’s stories. Traditional baskets made by his late mother were part of the exhibition.
The RPH art collection is the largest hospital collection in Australia with more than 1,000 paintings, drawings and sculptures on display throughout the hospital.
Care in the community
With over 29,800 Aboriginal peoples within our catchment area, EMHS Aboriginal health community programs play a vital role in helping to provide care to Aboriginal peoples. Just a few examples of these services include:
Moorditj Djena
The Moorditj Djena (Healthy Feet) outreach service delivers podiatry, diabetes and nutrition related health care in a mobile van. The mobile outreach covers over 20 locations across the Perth metropolitan area, through the northern suburbs, as far south as Pinjarra and out to the eastern foothills. The team includes Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers (AHLOs), Podiatrists, Diabetes Educators and a Dietitian. The service works closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to support patients’ health journey.
Aboriginal Acute Care Coordination Team (AACCT)
The AACCT is a 90-day program that improves Aboriginal patients’ health journey from hospital inpatient to outpatient appointments, for those presenting with an acute condition. Aboriginal Care Coordinators are responsible for providing support via information sharing, advocacy and facilitating care pathways.
At Risk Aboriginal Pre-Appointment Contact Program (ARAC)
This program helps support Aboriginal patients to navigate the health system. Patients are contacted by a dedicated AHLO, to inform them about their upcoming outpatient appointment.