Western NSW Local District Health has been updating their Reconciliation Action, as it concedes its service for Aboriginal people has "in the past" fallen short.

In a statement made to the Western Plains App, Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) acknowledged that health services have contributed to inequities in the region and reinforced their renewed focus on positive change.

“Providing access to high-quality and culturally-safe healthcare remains a key commitment for the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).

"We acknowledge and are deeply sorry for the role that health services have played in the past which have contributed to inequity in health, and in disconnection from culture and country".

WNSWLHD said they are continuing to work closely in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities in our region to address those inequities, and ensure Aboriginal people feel respected and heard when attending health services and receiving care.

Western NSW was the first LHD in NSW to commit to a Reconciliation Action Plan and their second iteration is now in the final stages of development.

"We remain committed to our Improving Aboriginal Health Strategy 2018-2023, developed in extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and Aboriginal health staff, as well as the Districts leadership teams, Board and broader workforce," they said.

Both the Dubbo Base hospital and the local Walgett multi-purpose health service (hospital) came under fire in the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service (WAMS) submission to the NSW parliamentary Inquiry into Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales in 2022.

“Many mothers are choosing Narrabri, Moree, and Tamworth Base Hospital in preference to Dubbo Base Hospital because they do not like the care given at Dubbo Base," the WAMS submission stated.

"Preferred hospitals are in the adjacent LHD, not Western LHD”.

“Our hospitals are not culturally safe. Walgett Hospital has no seating space as well as kitchenette area for families. The hospital model for palliative care is not appropriate. No aftercare is provided to the families. The current walkways and distances to services are not suitable for low mobility clients”.

Dubbo Base Hospital has not been the hospital of choice for Indigenous people in the Walgett area.

Following 192 submissions from other parties, the NSW parliamentary review's committee went on to conclude that residents in remote towns and locations and indigenous communities have particularly inferior access to health care which has led to many instances of patients receiving substandard levels of care. 

The review concluded that there NSW Health and the Local Health Districts, prioritise building their Indigenous workforce across all disciplines, job types and locations. Including funding for Aboriginal Care Navigators and Aboriginal Peer Workers.

WNSWLHD now says it is working on increasing its Aboriginal employment rate and has already seen improvement with their Indigenous workforce doubling from 3.4% in 2014 to 6.8% currently – with a goal of reaching 9.4%. 

"Our continued focus is on strengthening Aboriginal leadership across the District, including at the Board level. In line with the Health Services Act, several of the District’s Board members have expertise, knowledge and experience in relation to Aboriginal health. One Board member also identifies as Aboriginal," the WNSWLHD statement said.

Peta Rutherford, CEO of The Rural Doctors Association told the Western Plains App that ensuring Australia’s rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to the right health care and services is key to closing the gap in Indigenous healthcare.

"Health systems can be systematically racist," she said.

"Healthcare workers and management need to ensure that what they provide is culturally appropriate for indigenous people and everyone they are funded to help".