Aboriginal Support Team for our Community during COVID-19
Acknowledgement of Country
SESLHD Public Health Unit acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land. We support and respect the survival of this proud culture and are committed to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. We would like to pay our respect to Elders of the past, present and future generations and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
About the Aboriginal Support Team
The role of the Aboriginal Support Team is to support Aboriginal people who may be identified as having COVID-19 (a case) or as a close contact of a case. Support could involve cultural support during public health interviews, or support while in isolation, including finding alternate accommodation, food or financial concerns. The team is responsible for providing culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal people for any additional needs they or their families might have. This includes supporting and assisting community members during or after their isolation period, as well as answering any questions from community members about COVID-19 and the vaccine. The team will also support the workers within the PHU to work effectively with Aboriginal clients.
Why was the role developed?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at a higher risk from sickness and early death due to a lack of equity as a result of historical discrimination. During a pandemic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to be impacted due to factors including higher rates of underlying health conditions, and the gap in access to adequate medical treatment compared to non-Aboriginal people. Pandemic preparedness requires engaging and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to develop culturally appropriate ways to support the needs of Aboriginal families and communities.
We can offer:
- Support Aboriginal COVID-19 cases and contacts during interviews
- Support Aboriginal people during isolation and re-testing (if required)
- Culturally appropriate and tailored support is offered to all Aboriginal people
- Support the workers within the Public Health Unit to work in a culturally appropriate way with Aboriginal people who are identified as a case or contact
- Answer any questions from community members about COVID-19 and the vaccine
What is the goal for the Aboriginal Support Team?
To enhance the District’s response to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified cases of COVID-19 and their close contacts to produce better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For enquiries, you can call us on 0439 413 094 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays). Please leave a voice message if calling outside of these hours and a staff member will respond to you the following business day.
You can also email us, the inbox is monitored Monday to Friday during business hours.
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