Making a Difference to Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
A Statement of Commitment
This Statement of Commitment is a pledge to make a difference to Aboriginal health and wellbeing by acknowledging and respecting the interests of
Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples.
In acknowledging these interests, NT Health is committed to ensuring all Aboriginal people are treated respectfully at all points of interaction with NT Health services and staff. Respect is the recognition and continued advancement of the interests, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal people.
We will not be able to support Aboriginal people to achieve equitable health outcomes if we are not responsive to the relationship between culture and health care. The delivery of culturally responsive care and services must be embedded into the genetic makeup of NT Health and part of the daily experience of all those who interact with our services.
This means the development, design and delivery of services must be based on a genuine partnership with Aboriginal people, recognising the interests and cultural identity, practices and beliefs.
We must provide services that are safe and secure so Aboriginal people can engage positively with their health care providers and services.
We will do this by ensuring our consumers are empowered and supported to understand their health condition and treatment, our health professionals are supported to communicate effectively and provide appropriate health care information to consumers, and our services are meaningful and effective.
We are committed to ensuring our workforce improve cultural competency so we deliver health care that is appropriate, effective and responsive to the unique cultural heritage, interests and needs of Aboriginal people.
By acknowledging the importance of culture to health care we believe we are taking the right step towards making a difference to Aboriginal health and wellbeing.
This Statement of Commitment will underpin our engagement with Aboriginal people and the delivery of all services to Aboriginal people, families, carers and communities.
NT Aboriginal People
Over 10% of Australia’s Aboriginal
population reside in the Northern Territory (NT).
Aboriginal people represent nearly 30%
of the total NT population. However, as recipients of care from our NT public hospitals, they make up 70% of our hospital patients.
Nearly half of the NT is considered Aboriginal land, with over 80 different Aboriginal languages still in use. This represents a wide range and rich tapestry of Aboriginal cultures.
NT Health Strategic Plan 2014 – 2017
Our NT Health Strategic Plan 2014 – 2017 sets out the priorities for NT Health. There are seven Strategic Objectives and two are of particular importance to Aboriginal people.
Strategic Objective 3 makes explicit our focus on improving Aboriginal health outcomes and Strategic Objective 6 demonstrates our commitment to building a highly skilled and culturally responsive workforce.
NT Aboriginal Health Plan 2015 – 2018
Our Aboriginal Health Plan 2015 – 2018 is a detailed plan to ensure we achieve our NT Health Strategic Objective 3 – Improving Aboriginal Health Outcomes. It details the strategic actions we will take and how we will measure performance.
The Challenge ahead
Improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing is a serious challenge. The answers are complex. In committing to making a difference it is important we acknowledge and respect the interests of Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples. This acknowledgement and respect is essential as a foundation to achieve equitable health and wellbeing outcomes.
Hon Johan (John) Wessel Elferink MLA
Minister for Health Dr Len Notaras AM
Chief Executive Officer
www.nt.gov.au/health
* The term Aboriginal should be taken to include Torres Strait Islander people.
