BENDIGO Health continues to make investments in Aboriginal health, says psychiatric services director Associate Professor Philip Tune.
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Dr Tune spoke at Bendigo Health's NAIDOC Week morning tea at the hospital on Wednesday morning.
Simultaneous morning teas were held across all Bendigo Health sites to promote and support cultural awareness.
"This morning tea has become a wonderful Bendigo Health tradition and I know our staff look forward to it," Dr Tune said.
He said Bendigo Health was committed to enhancing the service to provide a culturally safe, welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the community.
"We have a robust framework to guide us in making the right investments in Aboriginal Health - our Improving Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients Program.
"Bendigo Health is proud of its relationship with our Aboriginal community and we were very pleased to welcome recently our first Aboriginal volunteer.
"All of us benefit from operating in a diverse community and as a regional health provider we have an open door for anyone who needs our service - and this is underpinned by our values of being caring, compassionate and trust worthy.
"We are strengthening this commitment with our Aboriginal workforce plan which aims to increase employment participation of Aboriginal people to Bendigo Health."
We have a robust frame work to guide us in making the right investments in Aboriginal Health ...
- Dr Philip Tune
Bendigo Health is one of the Loddon Mallee region's largest employers, boasting more than 3400 staff.
"This year we have appointed an Aboriginal registered nurse into our graduate nurse program and an Aboriginal Health Services assistant trainee," Dr Tune said.
"We're also in the process of developing a personal care assistant role for an Aboriginal trainee in Residential Services.
"Currently we are working in collaboration with Castlemaine Health and Echuca Regional Health to further implement our Aboriginal Workforce Plans. We anticipate this will lead to stronger links between the three health services."
