Nurses Applaud Positive Indigenous Health Initiatives On Close The Gap Day, Australia

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is calling on the federal government to implement successful Indigenous health models to help close the 17 year life expectancy gap existing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary said there were a number of successful nurse lead programs that could be applied nationally in consultation with Indigenous communities. "There are some wonderful nursing programs throughout Australia's Indigenous communities that, through a combination of cultural, family and community support, are seeing the achievement of improved health outcomes."

The ANF highlighted Monica Lawrence's nurse lead pilot project in South Australia as a positive example of how practical measures can deliver vast health improvements to Indigenous Australians.

Ms Lawrence piloted a remote area cardiac liaison nurse position through Flinders Medical Centre to ensure that Indigenous Australians from remote communities were properly informed and physically prepared for impending cardiac surgery.

In the past less than 50% of these patients had surgery, either failing to present to hospital or having to be cancelled at the last minute. With simple strategies that improved communication between the hospital and local communities Ms Lawrence ensured that all patients were properly informed about and fit for surgery, and that they all attended.

Ms Lawrence said it was important to have well supported, culturally sensitive programs involving family, the local community, and skilled remote area nurses.

The ANF also highlighted the work of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN) in increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people choosing nursing as a career.

"The ANF and CATSIN continue to endorse programs that aim to facilitate the education of Indigenous nurses in their own communities, like the aged care initiative at Pulkapulkka Kari." Ms Kearney said.

The ANF and CATSIN also encourage universities offering a Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery to continue to work towards including core-curriculum subjects to further educate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous nurses on Indigenous history, health and culture.

"It is through these types of programs that we will begin to address the national shame of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people dying 17 years earlier than other Australians."

The ANF, representing nearly 160,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.