Examples of supporting evidence
- Documentation of community consultation relating to creation of a welcoming environment
- Policies, procedures or protocols on cultural diversity that cover the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families
- Signs and plaques acknowledging traditional custodians
- Statement of recognition, such as a plaque; printed words on glass doors and pavement; or artwork telling the story of place, traditional ownership, individuals or significant events
- Flying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and a policy on half-mast days, including the death of a community member
- Evidence of celebrating important events in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural calendar
- Information brochures that outline what to expect when visiting the organisation, and the services available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families
- Documentation of services that are tailored to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names (developed in partnership) for wards and meeting rooms
- Survey results and reports on consumer satisfaction with the organisation’s actions to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Availability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander liaison officer(s) or health worker(s), including in emergency departments
- Evidence that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are involved in the development and implementation of the strategies, and that their views are sought routinely, particularly when the effectiveness of welcoming strategies are evaluated.
References
1. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Standing Committee of the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. Cultural respect framework 2016–2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Canberra: AHMAC; 2016.
37. Bainbridge R, McCalman J, Clifford A, Tsey K. Cultural competency in the delivery of health services for Indigenous people. Issues Paper No. 13 produced for the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies; 2015.
41. Dwyer J, Willis E, Kelly J. Hospitals caring for rural Aboriginal patients: holding response and denial. Aust Health Rev 2014;38:546–51.
48. Durey A, Wynaden D, Thompson SC, Davidson PM, Bessarab D, Katzenellenbogen JM. Owning solutions: a collaborative model to improve quality in hospital care for Aboriginal Australians. Nurs Inq 2012;19:144–52.
49. Davy C, Cass A, Brady J, DeVries J, Fewquandie B, Ingram S, et al. Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aust N Z J Public Health 2016;40:535–41.