Key Result Area Guideline 2:
Provide or coordinate cross-cultural training for hospital staff
- Cross-cultural training programs - a starting point
- Raising cultural awareness across the health service
- Aboriginal health information
- Asking the question about Aboriginality on admission to the health service
- Where to find information on Aboriginal culture, history and contemporary activities
- Recruiting and employing Aboriginal staff
Asking the question about Aboriginality on admission to the health service
Health services in Victoria are obliged to record Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status for patient admissions. The Koori Human Services Unit (KHSU) in DHS is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of this data, and for complying with state and national data requirements.
The KHSU website has useful information about data collection, including case studies of best practice in recording Aboriginality in Victorian health services.
The KHSU can provide training for health service staff in asking the question about Aboriginality. Contact Mary Sullivan on 9616 6981 or email Mary.Sulllivan@dhs.vic.gov.au
Who should attend training? 
Click here for a suggested list (Word File 23KB)
A training session on data collection can be a springboard for a broader discussion about culturally aware service. Successful training sessions have included local Aboriginal people to welcome participants and stress the importance of good data collection, bush tucker lunches, a chance to network informally with local Aboriginal community members, and the formation of a task group to take further action. It is important to have the support and presence of senior health service management at these events.
Contact: Koori Human Services Unit, Department of Human Services, 20/50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000
Telephone (03) 9096 7032
Email: koori@dhs.vic.gov.au