Treating us right: a summary report describing and evaluating Wadja’s new model of care for Aboriginal children and families at the Royal Children’s Hospital

by Knoche D, Clarke A, Shanahan N, Rowley K

Abstract

This report outlines Onemda's evaluation of the New model of care program. The program was established by The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne and implemented by the Wadja Aboriginal Family Place. It aims to improve Aboriginal patient access to hospital services and to provide culturally appropriate care. The program arose from hospital and community concerns that more still needs to be done to improve the health of Aboriginal children.

The New model of care program involves five components:

• implementation of case management for all Aboriginal patients with complex medical and social needs
• establishment of a weekly general medical clinic for Aboriginal children, which provides medical, social, cultural and emotional assessment
• development of a cross-cultural education program for all RCH staff
• capacity building for staff at Wadja through professional development, and for the broader RCH staff and environment, to create a culturally competent hospital
• consolidation of formal partnerships between RCH and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.

The evaluation supported this program, and provided recommendations for each of the five components.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Links

• View report: Treating us right: a summary report describing and evaluating Wadja’s new model of care for Aboriginal children and families at the Royal Children’s Hospital (PDF - 1.4 MB)
• View information: Treating us right: a summary report describing and evaluating Wadja’s new model of care for Aboriginal children and families at the Royal Children’s Hospital
• View website: Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit