Across the District, staff are taking part in Respecting the Difference training – not just to tick a box, but to better understand the experiences of Aboriginal people and how that history continues to shape health and wellbeing today.
Led by cultural educator Barry Boland, the training, is a mix of e-learning and a four-hour face-to-face workshop. It’s designed to help staff reflect on their own assumptions, learn about Aboriginal perspectives on health and build stronger, more respectful relationships with Aboriginal patients, families and colleagues.
“It’s not always easy,” Barry said. “We talk about some hard truths – about colonisation, racism and how that history still affects people today. But that’s the point. If we want to do better, we must understand where people are coming from.”
Barry has been working in cultural education for years and says the most powerful part of the training is often the conversations that happen in the room.
“People start to connect the dots – why trust might be an issue, why someone might not feel safe in a hospital setting. It’s about slowing down and really listening.”
Staff who’ve attended say the training has changed the way they think about their work.
“I thought I was being respectful, but I realised there’s a lot I didn’t know,” one participant shared. “It’s made me more aware of how I communicate and how I can do better.”
The training is mandatory for all staff and sessions are held regularly across the District. The e-learning module must be completed before attending the workshop.
Cameron Johnson, A/Director Aboriginal Health, Oral Health and Health Promotion said the training is an important step in creating a more culturally safe health system.
“Staff play such an important role in how people feel when accessing health services,” he said.
“This training asks us to consider how we can contribute to making health services more welcoming for our Aboriginal community. We know that small changes can have large impacts.”
NNSWLHD staff can register now via My Health Learning by searching 'Respecting the Difference'.
