Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families seeking emergency care at the Queensland Children’s Hospital are being guided through a more responsive and culturally safe experience thanks to a dedicated First Nations team.
The Queensland-first Mob ED service aims to break down the barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families accessing emergency care by creating a culturally safe and welcoming environment.
When Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families arrive in the emergency department, Mob ED Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff will welcome and support them through their child’s assessment and treatment.
The service aims to reduce the incidence of poor health outcomes associated with families leaving without being seen and not being treated in time.
Clinical nurse consultant Darsha Beetson (Gubbi Gubbi and Wiradjuri), who leads the multidisciplinary Mob ED team, said the holistic model of care had been developed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and clinicians to ensure culture was embedded in clinical processes.
“The Mob ED team starts a welcome, wellbeing and wayfinding yarn to embed a patient’s cultural identity, kinship and history in their care plan,” Ms Beetson said.
“It’s a department-wide change approach that also includes staff education on racism and health equity, yarning and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views of health and wellbeing,” Ms Beetson said.
“By trialling new solutions to old challenges, in partnership with community, we can drive genuine change for patients and their families.”
Mob ED partners with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health’s successful Mob Link initiative, which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in South East Queensland by linking them with community-based health and social services. Mob ED strengthens this connection to care by referring families to Mob Link when their child is discharged.
Children’s Health Queensland’s Chief Executive, Frank Tracey said Mob ED demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to developing culturally safe and integrated care models that better met the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
“Mob ED is another important step forward on our journey towards health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. When children and young people need emergency care, it’s vital that they and their families feel welcome and culturally safe in our hospital to ensure they get the care they need as soon as possible,” Mr Tracey said.