Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients in Northern NSW now have access to additional cultural support following the appointment of two specialist Aboriginal Cancer Care Coordinators.
These Coordinators are based within the cancer units at Grafton Base Hospital and Tweed Valley Hospital, to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during their cancer journey. Recruitment is currently underway for a third Coordinator who will be located at Lismore Base Hospital.
The specially trained Coordinators provide free, culturally safe cancer care and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients diagnosed with any type of cancer.
Northern NSW Local Health District Director of Cancer Services and Innovation, Stephen Manley, said it was important to provide safe, culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients who may be uncertain about accessing health care at a time when they are most vulnerable.
Holistic support
‘A cancer diagnosis can be very confronting and a difficult time for most people, and we are doing everything we can to support their care journey wherever possible,’ Mr Manley said.
‘For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their social and emotional wellbeing goes beyond the traditional Western view of health. It is a holistic and interconnected view of health that includes the physical, cultural, spiritual, and social wellbeing of individuals and their communities.
‘As health workers engaging with community, it’s important we understand this and provide holistic culturally safe and effective care, which is why we are so pleased to support these new roles in our cancer units.’
Previously working in community engagement, Tammy Johnson, has been appointed as the Aboriginal Cancer Care Coordinator at Tweed Valley Hospital and understands the significance of her role within the community.
‘It is important to breakdown the stigma of a cancer diagnosis,’ Ms Johnson said.
‘Many people still think a cancer diagnosis means you are going to die but that is not the case anymore. It’s important that we promote early screening for cancer and provide more education to empower the community to make better lifestyle choices.’
Understanding
Carmel Monaghan, who previously worked as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Grafton Base Hospital before taking on this new role, said Aboriginal Cancer Care Coordinators provided strong support for the community.
‘It’s very important that an Aboriginal person is there to help staff understand our mob, the respect, the kinship, spirituality and connection to Country,’ Ms Monaghan said.
‘It is important for us to do that and to educate the doctors and nurses about our culture. It is also important to help our people navigate the health system and understand their medical journey.’
The Aboriginal Cancer Care Coordinators work closely with their respective Aboriginal Medical Services in the Clarence and Tweed Valleys to coordinate patient referrals.
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