Ramsay Newsroom

The bush walk around Lake Joondalup gave staff the opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal culture, the Noongar six seasons, and local plants, including their Noongar names, uses and links to community. 

Noongar/Yamitji man, Justin Martin, who led the walk shared stories of the Dreamtime, including that of the Charnock woman whose long white hair can be seen reflecting from the stars above on to the lake at night.

JHC Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Irish, who also chairs the Aboriginal Health Committee, said the country, the community, and at a local level the hospital, had an obligation to try and improve health outcomes for First Nations Peoples.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced poor health outcomes for generations,” Mr Irish said. “We know that chronic disease, mental health issues and disability are significantly higher among First Nations Peoples.”

Mr Irish said JHC was trying to increase its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, which would help provide extra support and create a more culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families.

“We are hoping to build our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce through a new undergraduate cadetship program that has been launched nationally,” he said.

The recently launched national undergraduate cadetship program will offer support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student nurses in WA by providing hands-on clinical experience, support and supervision - initially at JHC, and later at other Ramsay Health Care WA sites.

During clinical placements, cadets are simultaneously given the opportunity for employment as an assistant in nursing or midwifery, a personal care assistant or support services worker at a Ramsay hospital.

At the completion of their studies, the student is also guaranteed an interview for ongoing employment as part of Ramsay’s popular graduate program, which gives graduates the opportunity to choose from a range of specialties.

JHC has also grown its Aboriginal Liaison team and extended service hours.