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Child immunisation

Posted By Change Now

"Child immunisation"

About: Derby Community Health Service Derby Hospital Derby Hospital / General Practice Service

(as a service user),

We are an Aboriginal family in Derby. I took my child to get immunised. I was made to feel like I was growing my child up wrong. Not the way the clinician recommended. My child is healthy. I was growing my child up differently to what they recommended and not like a white mother. Not once did I seen an Aboriginal worker. I could not get a referral to see a specialist from the Community Health Nurse. We had to see a GP to get a referral. GP appointments are usually all booked. Not sure why they could not make a referral.

I recall some staff are not welcoming. I found the clinic is cold and not friendly. It seems the Nurses are all white. In my opinion, nothing seems to change, except their location.

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Responses

Response from Janice Forrester, A/Primary Health Manager, Kimberley Population Health Unit, WACHS - Kimberley nearly 2 years ago
Janice Forrester
A/Primary Health Manager, Kimberley Population Health Unit,
WACHS - Kimberley

Submitted on 16/08/2022 at 3:03 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:34 PM

Dear Change now,

Thank you for your feedback from your recent visit to Derby Community Health Service. We apologise for the negative experience you had at Derby Community Health Service. Community, compassion, quality and equity are part of the core values for WA Country Health Service (WACHS) and we are disappointed our service did not deliver on these values.

We acknowledge we have limited Aboriginal staff at Derby Community Health and we are in the process of recruiting more Aboriginal Health Workers in Derby to ensure the service is welcoming and safe for all members of the community to attend. Currently we provide cultural awareness training and support to all staff on their journey to cultural competence. Your feedback has identified that we need to do more work to support current staff members at Derby Community Health and we will ensure this is provided as a matter of urgency.

It is unfortunate to hear the clinic was not friendly and you were not able to receive the referral you were requesting. We will increase education to nursing staff on referrals they can make to specialists to be more accommodating to clients and reduce the need for multiple medical appointments. We would like to take this opportunity to reassure you we are committed to improving our service delivery and will make changes with your feedback, if you would like the opportunity to discuss further, please contact Janice Forrester 91941630.

Regards,

Janice

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