Aboriginal Liaison Unit

A small team of Aboriginal Liaison Officers visit all Aboriginal inpatients at the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) with the aim of ensuring their medical, practical and cultural needs are met while at the WCH.

While the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people remains substantially poorer than that of Australians as a whole, prevention and early intervention strategies are an important part of the Network's Aboriginal Health Strategy. The Aboriginal Liaison Unit has developed partnerships with other health providers and is an advocate for Aboriginal Health in South Australia.

The Aboriginal Liaison Unit also offers a place for Aboriginal people to gather whilst visiting the WCH, and staff of the Unit act as a cultural broker to staff of the WCH and to clients.

How to access this service

Referrals can be made to the Aboriginal Liaison Unit by:

WCH nursing, medical, allied health or other staff
other Aboriginal health services/workers
other major hospitals, local and interstate

Hours

8.30am – 4.30pm weekdays

For after hours Emergency assistance, the on call Social Worker will contact an Aboriginal Liaison Officer for Cultural Support

Location

1st Floor, Gilbert Building

Further information

Things patients and their families should know

Bring extra clothing if necessary.
Have accommodation booked by your referring agency (eg: Patient Assistance Transport Scheme, Isolated Patient Travel & Accommodation Assistance Scheme) either at the Aboriginal Hostels or in accommodation close to the Women's and Children's Hospital at a motel/hotel. No accommodation is available at the Women's and Children's Hospital. Information on Aboriginal Hostels can be found at the Aboriginal Hostels Limited web site.
Bring ID – (Health Care Card, Pension card, Medicare care)
Bring your medication
Ensure that you have finance, key card, basic card and driver’s license.

If you have an outpatient appointment at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, you are expected to arrange and pay for travel there and back – the hospital does not provide funding for outpatient appointments. You may be able to get support from the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS) or similar, or your Local Healthcare Service or Community.