Aboriginal Health Services

We offer sensitive and compassionate care and support for patients with a life limiting illness, either in hospital, care unit and at home.

We want our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families to have control right from the beginning of their health journeys to the very end. Western Sydney Local Health District wants to make sure there are provisions in place if all of a sudden they don’t have control. Our Palliative Care workers can help you and your loved one prepare their care packages for the future so that your wishes are respected and fulfilled.

Who can access our palliative and supportive care services?

1. People who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness
2. People who have a chronic disease that becomes palliative
3. People who are quite well who want to be able to get their orders or their instructions written down while they are well

What services are offered in your palliative and advanced care plan to ensure your wishes are fulfilled?

1. Health and medical care choices
2. Financial choices
3. Living arrangements while in care
4. Making a will
5. Practical support with help to access superannuation, Centrelink, Wills, funeral planning as necessary

What is your Advanced Care Package and how is it prepared?

An Advanced Care package is prepared with you and your loved ones so everyone knows your wishes for your end of life journey if you were to become seriously ill or injured or cannot speak for yourself. Some highlights include:

1. Discussions with patient and their loved ones on how you want to be cared for as your life goes on in a culturally friendly and appropriate manner
2. Discussions on consent for medical and health care actions to be taken in either a hospital setting or at home or at country.
3. Active use of language interpreters and health care professionals for better communication
4. Discuss where and which location the patient prefer to be in during their final days

Preparing a Will

A Will is a document that is drafted to express the intentions of the will-maker about what is to happen to their property when they pass. Any property can be passed through a Will – it need not be a house or a large sum of money.

New South Wales government recognises that as an Aboriginal person, you may have culturally sensitive requirements to document in your Will. These may include how to provide for kinship, burial and secret knowledge.

Useful links

Aboriginal Wills handbook

Taking care of business handbook

To watch the full playlist of 10 animated videos from IPEPA, please click here.

Find out how How Nicole Winters and her team are transforming palliative care for Aboriginal patients by clicking here. 

Find out more