Aboriginal health services in Western Sydney

We are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their communities, organisations and businesses to implement the National Agreement of Closing the Gap.

The objective of the National Agreement is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and governments to work together to overcome the health inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Evidence shows that significant improvements can be made in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be achieved by 2030. Our District is standing by its strong commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and recognises the discrepancy between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal peoples.

Our approach includes:

• Acknowledgement of the role the Australian government and healthcare played in the Stolen Generations and as a result intergenerational trauma.
• Working collaboratively in a process of co-design with Aboriginal Elders and community to deliver best practice models of care.
• Creating safe spaces in our facilities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their families and friends.
• Developing a continued dialogue with the community, based on empathetic care and kindness.
• Delivering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific health program and services.
• Ensure we meet ambitious targets relating to Aboriginal staff (including retention), to ensure our workplace reflects our community.

Read our Aboriginal health strategy.

Our Aboriginal artwork

This artwork tells the story of the Western Sydney LHD.

It’s a story of an organisation with deep-rooted values. A story of a culturally rich community. And the story of the vitality of the Country and waterways that have sustained First Nations people for thousands of years.

At the heart of the artwork is Western Sydney LHD. Its surrounding eight values, connected by mauve, are closely intertwined and cannot exist alone. They represent a warm and culturally appropriate place where community can feel safe, empowered, and proud. There is a place for everyone at Western Sydney LHD.

Our local Aboriginal community is shown within the artwork by the colour red and is made stronger by each of our values. Strength in culture is strength in community.

Country and waterways are vital to our story; and that of First Nations peoples, and are reflected in the artwork, too. Connections to the land and water are ongoing and have always existed.

As we renew its commitment to building even stronger connections with First Nations peoples, communities’ histories and futures are respected and strengthened.

About the Artist - David Williams

As a proud Wakka Wakka man, artist and Executive Director of Gilimbaa, David brings a lifetime of culture and connections to Gilimbaa. David was influenced by his immediate family and his Elders who encouraged him to use his creative skills as a tool to connect his culture to the wider community.

David uses creativity as an effective tool of 21st century cultural communication, using this as a platform to share, educate and celebrate First Nations culture.

What to expect

Our hospitals are safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to identify. When coming to our hospitals and facilities, we encourage you to identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This will ensure our Aboriginal health officers can meet with you to discuss how we can provide you with the best possible care and services.

Aboriginal family rooms and healing gardens

At Western Sydney LHD, we have opened culturally safe places at our Westmead, Auburn and Blacktown Hospitals which Aboriginal patients, their families and loved ones can access when in hospital. We also have spiritual healing gardens which our Aboriginal patients and family can make use of to escape from the humdrums of the day when in hospital.

48 Hour Follow Up Program

The 48 Hour Follow Up program is a comprehensive program that provides support to Aboriginal peoples who are being discharged from hospital.

This service consists of a phone call or a home visit to the patient within 48 hours (about 2 days) of being discharged to check on their social and emotional wellbeing. During this phone call or home visit, any issues or barriers the patient may be encountering are identified by the staff member conducting the follow up. Once identified, services and or referrals are put in place to help the patient.

Highlights of the 48 Hours Follow Up program are:

• Improve health outcomes for our Aboriginal peoples.
• Reduce avoidable readmissions to hospitals.
• Improve communication with our community services team.

To get in touch, call us on 1800 113 644.

About ALOs

Aboriginal liaison officers (ALOs) help you and your families better understand your care requirements, hospital needs, and treatment options. They can also help you talk to health professionals so that you can understand medical procedures and routines and participate actively in decisions about your care.

How to contact an ALO

ALOs are available at Auburn, Westmead, Cumberland, Blacktown, and Mount Druitt. 

Our ALOs sit in the social work department and work closely with social work officers for your health and wellbeing.

This position partners with various internal and external groups all Aboriginal health promotion, education and programs to and for the local Aboriginal community in Western Sydney LHD. 

This includes working collaboratively within the relevant sections of the District and other external agencies in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Aboriginal specific early intervention and prevention health education resources, tool and programs.

We are currently working on:

• Aboriginal health bus
• Aboriginal healthy cooking classes
• Aboriginal cessation program for smoking and vaping
• Aboriginal cervical screening
• Aboriginal young strong and deadly program
• Aboriginal diabetes program
• Closing the Gap strategies
• Aboriginal breast cancer awareness
• men’s health.

About the progam

The Integrated Team Care (ITC) program aims to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic conditions through care coordination and support for self-management.

What is a chronic condition?

Chronic conditions include, but are not limited to:

• diabetes, and eye related conditions
• cardiovascular disease
• chronic kidney disease
• cancer
• respiratory disease
• mental illness.

How we help you

We assist Aboriginal patients in accessing necessary health services and have access to a supplementary service funding pool to access allied health and specialist services that are urgently required and unavailable in a clinically acceptable timeframe. We will provide a variety of services including but not limited to advocacy, support, liaison, referral and health promotion and assistance with transport where required to facilitate access to services that address the social, emotional and cultural needs of the patient.

Who is eligible

Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander peoples who:

• have a chronic diagnosis
• have a Medicare card
• up to date GP Management Plan.

Learn more about Western Sydney Integrated Team Care and how to refer.

Our diabetes clinics provide specialist medical care for people managing diabetes.

In particular, the focus is on early screening, diagnosis, optimising the care and management and treating complications of diabetes. Doctors in the clinic work closely with diabetes educators, dieticians, and podiatrists. We aim to maintain a close liaison with your general practitioners to help you get a well-rounded experience.

Who is eligible?

We care for prediabetic, people who have a diagnosis of Type 1 and 2 diabetes, pancreatic diabetes, steroid-induced diabetes and diabetes caused by any other conditions.

Please note that a valid referral from your GP is required. In general, new patients are advised to attend the Diabetes and Endocrinology Ambulatory Care Centre to see a Diabetes Educator and Dietitian before attending one of the specialist diabetes clinics.

Referrals can be faxed to: (02) 8890 8333.

Our services

• diabetes education and ambulatory care (referrals not required)
• dietician services
• endocrinologist services
• obesity services
• thyroid disorder services
• diabetes and thyroid issues in pregnancy services
• pre-pregnancy planning for diabetes clinic
• adult insulin pump service
• pituitary services
• neuroendocrine tumour clinic
• bone clinic.

Contact us

Learn more about our diabetes services.

Our Regional Dialysis Centre (RDC) at Blacktown Hospital was designed in partnership with patients, carers and staff, and includes a major community art project to help create a vibrant, positive and welcoming environment.

The RDC provides more than 35,000 occasions of service every year to a catchment of more than 1.5 million people in western Sydney and rural NSW.

The new centre is a one-stop-shop for treatment and includes:

• 22 treatment bays for dialysis in “pods” for easy management.
• A satellite pharmacy so you no longer need to go to the main hospital for medications.
• Outpatients clinics to see your kidney doctor, your nurses, social worker and dietician.
• Facilities for patient training and education, consultation rooms and support areas.

Contact (02) 9881 1670. 

Our drug health services provides care and support in the management of alcohol and drug problems for individuals, families, and the community.

Services includes management of issues related to alcohol, opioids, methamphetamine (ice), cannabis, prescription medication, heroin, and other drugs.

Our services

• inpatient and outpatient detoxification treatment
• opioid treatment services
• abstinence maintenance services
• hepatitis C screening and treatment
• alcohol clinic
• specialist psychology services
• community counselling
• Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) Program
• adult drug court
• adolescent services
• pharmacy liaison
• drug use in pregnancy services
• child and family health services and population health services.

Hepatitis C testing and treatment

Hepatitis C testing can be done in 2 ways – through a simple needle prick or via a FibroScan to check for liver fibrosis. Hepatitis C treatment is also simple, short, and well tolerated. The Hepatitis C virus can be got rid of through medication.

For assessing your liver health and testing for Hepatitis C, call 1800 721 733. 

Rapidly reverse opioid overdose

Naloxone or NARDAC is an FDA-approved medication to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is safe to use and has no abuse potential. It is free to access, and you can book by calling us on (02) 8860 2565.

MERIT Program

The Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program is a voluntary, pre-plea program for adults in the Local Court who have issues related to their alcohol and other drug use. MERIT provides access to a wide range of alcohol and other drug treatment services for 12 weeks while court matters are adjourned.

To access MERIT, either refer yourself or get referred by a magistrate, police officer or solicitor. You can call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015 to be referred to your local MERIT team.

Healthy Eating Active Living

The Healthy Eating Active Living program supports the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples in NSW.

You can speak with a free NSW Health telephone health coach who will:

• listen to your needs.
• help you set realistic health goals.
• work with you to make a simple action plan.
• Your coach will support and motivate you as you start and continue your health journey.

How to sign up

Call 1300 806 258 to join the program and connect with your health coach.

What to expect when you contact drug health

Our team will first assess you, and help you develop a plan to manage withdrawal symptoms. We also charter counselling and therapy services for you which includes individual therapy, group programs and home services.

Contact us

To reach out to our District-wide team, please call (02) 8860 2565 or WSLHD-DrugHealthServices@health.nsw.gov.au

How to visit us

Learn more about our drug health and alcohol services.

Our vision for our district is to plan and deliver culturally safe, accessible, responsive, and flexible mental health services and emotional wellbeing support programs to all of our Aboriginal peoples and communities.

We offer a range of Aboriginal positions that could potentially provide assistance to you or a family member facing mental health challenges. If you're uncertain about where to begin, one of our staff members may be able to guide you and point you in the right direction.

• Aboriginal hospital liaison officers
  We have two Aboriginal mental health liaison officers: one in Cumberland and another in Blacktown. These professionals are available to support you and your family when you or a family member is in one of our mental health facilities. They can address various concerns, including advocacy, housing and Centrelink issues, and offer culturally sensitive support within the hospital setting.
   
• Aboriginal mental health peer support worker 
  This community-based position is held by someone with personal experience in mental health. Their role involves advocating for and engaging with clients and their families as a support figure. They assist from intake to exit, helping individuals overcome barriers within the mental health services using their own lived experience.
   
• Aboriginal mental health liaison officer
  Both inpatient and community roles provide cultural support for Aboriginal individuals, sharing cultural knowledge and consulting with the Aboriginal community, patients, and the health systems.
   
• Aboriginal care navigator
  These professionals facilitate engagement between different teams, working on care plans and assisting with treatment plans, referrals, and discharges. Whether it's a short-term or long-term situation, they ensure a coordinated approach to service delivery, ensuring that individuals remain central to the process. They also educate the workforce on effectively serving Aboriginal consumers.
   
• Mental health clinician
  This role involves conducting assessments, safety and risk evaluations, discharge planning, referral guidance, and ongoing cultural mental health assessments for clients.
   
• Aboriginal clinical lead 
  This position supports mental health trainees during their three-year training program and provides culturally appropriate workplace support for both clinical staff and trainees.

Learn more about our mental health services.

Westmead Oral Health Hospital provides public oral health treatment to children, youths, and adults in the Aboriginal community. 

General dental treatment and emergency relief of pain treatment is free for patients with a current Centrelink Card and a current Medicare Card.

What conditions are treated

We provide general dental examinations and care to children (from 0 to 18 years) and adults (from 18 years and above). Our services include routine dental examinations (check-up appointments), scale and cleaning, gum care, fillings, and extractions. Please note that there might be a waiting list.

Specialist dental treatment, such as wisdom tooth removal and complex mouth rehabilitation is also available.  Fees may apply.  A referral is required from your medical or dental practitioner.

Patients with serious dental emergencies (facial, neck or mouth swelling, excessive bleeding or injury/trauma should present directly to the dental clinic for urgent assessment.

How to book an appointment

All patients seeking dental care must have pre-booked appointments. To make an appointment, please contact our call centre on (02) 889 60766 or 1300 73 949.

How to visit us

Parking charges apply at both sites.

Find out more about our oral health services.

Western Sydney LHD offers palliative and supportive care services to help you and your loved ones plan for the future. Our goal is to make sure your wishes are respected if you become seriously ill, injured or unable to speak for yourself.

Who can access our services

You can use palliative and supportive care if you are:

• living with a terminal illness
• living with a chronic disease that becomes palliative
• well now, but want to record your wishes and instructions for the future.

What we offer

We can support you with:

• health and medical care choices
• financial decisions
• living arrangements while in care
• making a Will
• practical help to access superannuation, Centrelink, funeral planning and other services.

Advance Care Planning

An Advance Care Plan is prepared with you and your loved ones so everyone knows your wishes for your end-of-life care.

This may include:

• discussions about how you want to be cared for in a culturally respectful way
• decisions about medical care and consent, at home, in hospital or on Country
• using interpreters and health professionals to support communication
• deciding where you would like to spend your final days.

Making a Will

A Will is a legal document that explains what should happen to your property after you pass away. Property may include money, a house or other belongings.

The NSW Government recognises that Aboriginal people may have cultural requirements to include in their Will. These may involve kinship obligations, burial wishes and secret knowledge.

Learn more about Wills for Aboriginal peoples and download resources.

Sorry business

Acknowledging Sorry Business helps ensure care is culturally safe and respectful during times of loss.

'Sorry Business' is the term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to describe the mourning period when a family member passes away. It also includes the responsibilities that follow, in line with traditional law and custom.

The end of life is a sensitive and significant time for patients, families and communities. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this time may involve sacred cultural practices. These practices are not described here, but are recognised and respected.

Western Sydney LHD acknowledges Sorry Business and offers programs to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the end of life. Our approach is based on:

• cultural respect – recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on death and dying may differ from mainstream perspectives
• clear and respectful communication
• building community capacity
• strong relationships and partnerships.

We also provide a specialist palliative care unit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Resources

The Indigenous Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (IPEPA) animated series is made up of 10 short films. Each film follows a journey of understanding about palliative care and explores what happens when someone is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.

Watch the IPEPA series.

Learn more about our palliative care services

Beginning of life health services provide flexible and culturally appropriate care, support and education for Aboriginal women and their partners during their pregnancy and after birth, and for their babies and children aged 0 to 5 years.

We offer a range of models of care for Aboriginal mothers and women having Aboriginal babies:

Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service (AMIHS)

The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service (AMIHS) carries the theme Strong Women, Strong Babies. 

In Western Sydney LHD, the program is called Bulbwul Werowe, which means strong babies. The program supports Aboriginal women across the district, with clinics available at several locations.

AMIHS provides antenatal and postnatal care for:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
• Families who identify as having an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander baby.

Learn more about AMIHS.

Budjery Manya: The New Directions Program

New Directions has been in operation since 2015 and provides culturally appropriate services and service delivery to local Aboriginal communities who have children 0 to 5 yrs old.

Learn more about New Directions.

Dragonfly Program Westmead and Blacktown

The Dragonfly Midwifery Program provides continuity of care for women and families Identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander during their pregnancy journeys. The program currently is available at Westmead and Blacktown.

Learn more about the Dragonfly Midwifery Program.

NSW Aboriginal Ear Health Program (Otitis Media or Glue Ear)

Otitis Media is the inflammation and infection of the middle ear. It is a major source of ear disease in Aboriginal children, often beginning just weeks after birth, recurring frequently, and can persist into adolescence.

Learn more about the NSW Aboriginal Ear Health Program.

For more information and referrals, contact AboriginalHealthUnit@health.nsw.gov.au

Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre offers testing, treatment, and management of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV.

There is an Aboriginal sexual health promotion officer based at Mt Druitt an Parramatta that covers Western Sydney LHD.

This role is important in the care and assistance of Aboriginal people accessing sexual health services, The Aboriginal sexual health officer works with community on education and engagement with our sexual health services. The Aboriginal sexual health officer will ensure that Aboriginal consumers receive a respectful and culturally responsive service.

Who can attend the clinic

• people living with AIDS/HIV
• gay and other men who have sex with men
• trans and gender-diverse people
• sex workers
• people who inject drugs
• people with STI-related symptoms.

Our clinic will provide

• sexual health tests
• treatment for STIs
• advice on sexual health issues
• free Hepatitis B vaccinations
• free condoms
• free emergency contraception
• sexual health counselling.

How to visit us

You can make an appointment by calling (02) 8890 5960 or (02) 9990 6766.

To access Sexual Health Infolink, call 1800 451 624.

Learn more about our sexual health services.

Integrated Violence Prevention and Response Services (IVPRS)

The Aboriginal health services team provides specialist support for Aboriginal peoples who have experienced violence, abuse or neglect.

Our services

• Aboriginal health worker – violence, abuse and neglect
  Supports Aboriginal peoples who have experienced sexual assault, violence, abuse or neglect. The worker helps clients navigate health and community systems, and provides education to improve community awareness.
• Aboriginal social worker, Aboriginal counsellor
  Provides therapeutic services for children and young people aged 10 to 17 who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviours.
• Senior Aboriginal clinician – Safe Ways Program
  Works with children under 10 who display harmful sexual behaviours. The program leads and supports an interagency public health approach, including:
  • primary prevention initiatives
  • early intervention responses
  • specialist clinical services for children who need them.
• Aboriginal sexual assault counsellor
  Provides counselling for Aboriginal peoples who have experienced child sexual assault or sexual assault.

There are other domestic and family violence services that we are able to assist with, reach out to the Aboriginal Health Hub at Mount Druitt to find out more.

Contact us on: (02) 9881 1670