Serious about closing the gap

To mark National Close the Gap Day 2018, our health services held events at our hospitals and encouraged staff members to sign the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Close the Gap Day pledge.

Signing the WSLHD Close the Gap Day pledge confirms a staff member’s commitment to closing the gap, whether it be through actions such as undertaking Respecting the Difference cultural awareness training, developing strategies during team planning or encouraging Aboriginal patients to provide feedback via our District’s feedback tools such as the My Experience Matters survey.

While most Aussies enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world, the mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people match those in the most impoverished nations.

Together with Nepal, Australia has the world’s worst life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

With Greater Western Sydney having the highest urban population of Aboriginal people in the state, we’re in a position to help close the gap.

What are we doing here at WSLHD? Everything from quit smoking programs, pre and post natal support for Aboriginal women, early childhood health programs, and nutrition workshops, to culturally adapted Go4Fun programs for Aboriginal children, and health service pathways for vulnerable families.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has also submitted its first Reconciliation Action Plan for approval to Reconciliation Australia with a launch expected later this year.

Find out more on the Oxfam website and help us to Close the Gap.