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Aboriginal people working in the department

Posted By doradody39

"Aboriginal people working in the department"

About: Kununurra Hospital

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

Visited Radiology recently.  

I was disappointed to see no Aboriginal people working in the department, in particular the reception. I felt the waiting area was unwelcoming and hasn’t changed in years. I believe the hospital need local and community people working to engage patients and make them feel more welcome and comfortable. I think having a Liaison officer or interpreter more visible would help.

I felt the team were lovely and I expressed my concerns to the Radiographer who took the time to discuss the feedback and my experiences at the hospital. I found the waiting time for ultrasound is longer than it used to be, however I was put on a cancellation list and booked as soon as possible. The receptionist took the time to explain the process and that waiting times are long at the moment for ultrasound. I believe the hospital needs to engage more local people and start thinking about culturally safe healthcare if the service wants to meet the communities needs. 

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Responses

Response from WACHS Kimberley last month
WACHS Kimberley

Submitted on 21/03/2024 at 12:22 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:22 PM

Good Morning doradody39,

Thank you for your recent feedback regarding Aboriginal staff at Kununurra Hospital. Our Aboriginal work force has grown significantly over the last few years and the first people who are visible on arrival to the hospital are, in fact, the Aboriginal Interpreter Service. If the office is unattended, it is due to the fact that they are assisting staff with a patient in the hospital to ensure they are included in their journey during their stay. This is an invaluable service which enables us to provide culturally safe care to our community and the wider Aboriginal communities that the hospital services.

We do have Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALOs) and Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) throughout many of the departments in the hospital. There is a dedicated ALO based in the radiology department. She may not have been in the department at the time of your visit as she does transport people to their appointments and then home after.

I am glad that the radiographer was able to discuss your feedback and you had a positive experience with the team.

We would encourage anyone within our Aboriginal community to apply for positions within the hospital whenever they are advertised and would love to increase our Aboriginal workforce.

Kind Regards,

Sharon Pope

Acting Coordinator of Nursing & Midwifery

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