Aboriginal Health
The Royal Perth Bentley Group plays a key role in delivering health care services to Aboriginal people located in the metropolitan, rural and remote areas of Western Australia.
Approximately 12 per cent of our inpatient admissions are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, and 40 per cent of those patients travel from outside the metropolitan area.
As an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient we aim to ensure your time here is as comfortable as possible. Royal Perth Hospital recognises the values, beliefs, rights and customs of Aboriginal people and provides a range of services and support to make your time away from home easier.
Royal Perth Hospital respectfully acknowledges the Noongar people both past and present, the traditional owners of the land on which we work.
The AACCT program is available when patients are admitted to Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) and are discharged with an acute condition into the Perth metro area or remote/rural regions of country Western Australia. Through care coordination the program aims to provide advocacy and health education to improve the health journey of Aboriginal clients living in the East Metropolitan Health Service catchment area.
The program identifies gaps in the Aboriginal patient journey when clients present to hospital with an acute care requirement and have a follow up outpatient appointment at RPH. The care coordinators assigned to wards identify gaps in the Aboriginal patient journey when clients present to hospital. Care coordinators investigate identified areas of DNA presentations into outpatient appointments, link patients into Integrated Team Care arrangements for chronic conditions, GP appointments for GP Management Plans and 715 health assessments. Remote/Rural care coordinator will explore ways of working closely with the hospital staff to facilitate care between regions and advocate for the patient on discharge for continuity of care.
For more information, please download the AACCT brochure (PDF 1MB).
Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers are based in the Social Work Department in Victoria Square entrance and work closely with the Social Workers attached to the speciality ward area that they work on.
Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers (ALOs) provide cultural support to patients during their stay in hospital. This may involve supporting treating teams with their communication with Aboriginal patients, providing emotional support and completing tasks such as assisting with PATS and Centrelink. The ALOs also assist with linking patients to Aboriginal specific services in both the metropolitan and regional communities.
To contact Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers (ALOs), please phone 9224 2711.
The Cardiology Health Liaison Officer specifically provides services to Aboriginal patients who are admitted to Royal Perth Hospital with heart conditions.
To speak with our Cardiology Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer, call 9224 2086 or 0404 894 099 Monday to Thursday, 8am – 4pm.
Country Health Connect is a support and coordination service for Country Aboriginal people travelling from rural and remote areas to Perth. Country Health Connect work closely with Royal Perth Hospital and can provide practical support such as transport for PATS patients who are staying at the Perth Aboriginal Hostels.
Please speak to the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer if you would like to be connected with the service.
Aboriginal Hostels Limited operates more than 50 hostels Australia-wide to provide accommodation for Aboriginal people who need to be away from home for a range of reasons, including medical treatment. Aboriginal Hostels Limited provides safe, comfortable, affordable accommodation and offer three meals each day during your stay.
Please speak to the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer to be connected with this service.
The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry is concerned with the spiritual, cultural and social development of Aboriginal people in the Archdiocese of Perth. The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry provides pastoral care to Aboriginal people that include visits to the hospital and home, spiritual preparations including funerals and working together with other organisations dealing with Aboriginal issues.
Please speak to the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer to be connected to this service. Alternatively the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry can be contacted directly on 9328 7529.