On the 04 March 2024, Leigh Parker, CEO of Heywood Rural Health and John Bell, CEO of Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) that formalises the important collaboration that has been occurring over recent years.
The aim of the MOU is to continue the great positive relationship, improve health services to the Heywood community and achieve the best care and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our objective is to continue to provide:
- Aboriginal client services at Heywood Rural Health.
- Assistance with the transition from living at home to living in Residential Aged Care.
- A culturally safe environment for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people accessing all HRH services.
- Culturally appropriate services reinforced by staff attendance at Cultural safety training provided by Winda-Mara.
- Appropriate palliative care services to Aboriginal Elders / Community in either Residential Aged Care or our Acute hospital.
Some of the great initiatives already agreed upon to provide a safe and culturally sensitive environment for all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community members include:
- New acknowledgement signs have been installed at the main reception, Urgent Care Centre and all meeting rooms.
- Working closely with Aunty Janice Lovett to organise and celebrate 2024 Reconciliation Week – Now More Than Ever.
- Developing an expression of interest for local Aboriginal artwork which tells a ‘Working Together’ story. (More information to be shared in the near future).
- Soon to be developed Aboriginal Advisory Committee between Winda-Mara and HRH.
These are just a few of the actions developed between the two organisations.
HRH and Winda-Mara look forward to exploring the many ways the two organisation’s can work together on community focused health projects that make Aboriginal & Torres Islander people experiences a positive and welcoming one.
