Access to Palliative Care Services Improved for Aboriginal Members of the Community
Access to palliative care services by Aboriginal people in the community has been improved with the recent appointment of an Aboriginal Health Worker to the Far West LHD Palliative Care and Cancer Services Team.
Josie Price has joined the Far West LHD Palliative Care and Cancer Services Team as their newly appointed Aboriginal Health Worker, and will be based in Broken Hill.
Josie and her family have moved to Broken Hill from Balranald. She grew up in the Port Lincoln area in SA, and has worked previously in Darwin and Bathurst.
'I am enjoying meeting staff and patients that I'm going to be working with, and also engaging with other Aboriginal Health Workers talking about my role and how we can work together,' said Josie.
Each LHD in NSW was given funding by the NSW Ministry of Health for Aboriginal Health Workers in Palliative Care to improve access to and understanding of palliative care within Aboriginal communities and to assist in the provision of culturally appropriate palliative care services by the LHD.
Josie will work with the Far West LHD Palliative Care Services supporting patients and their families living with a life limiting illness regardless of the underlying diagnosis. Josie will also have capacity to provide support to Aboriginal patients and their families having curative cancer treatment.
Melissa Cumming, Director Cancer & Palliative Care Services said: 'We welcome Josie to Broken Hill and to our team. It is very exciting to have her work with us to improve access to Palliative Care services by Aboriginal people in our communities.'
Josie will be based in Broken Hill and can be contacted on +61 8 8080 1645 or josie.price@health.nsw.gov.au