Peter Mac Working to Improve Cultural Safety for First Nations Patients Receiving Cancer Care

Strategic Insights -

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, a leading cancer centre in Australia, is working to improve the cultural safety of First Nations people receiving cancer care through two new projects. The projects aim to foster new connections between healthcare providers and Aboriginal-led organisations, ultimately supporting better outcomes for First Nations patients. The first project, "Walking together with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to enhance culturally safe cancer care", will focus on lung and breast cancer screening and psycho-oncology care, while the second project, "Healing together our way: A regional approach to improving cancer outcome for Aboriginal communities in the South West Victoria", will focus on improving cancer outcomes for Aboriginal communities in the South West Victoria region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Peter Mac is working on two new projects to improve cultural safety for First Nations patients receiving cancer care, with a focus on lung and breast cancer screening and psycho-oncology care.
  • The first project, "Walking together with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to enhance culturally safe cancer care", involves a new Aboriginal Patient Navigator based at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) to support First Nations patients as they attend different hospitals.
  • The second project, "Healing together our way: A regional approach to improving cancer outcome for Aboriginal communities in the South West Victoria", involves a regional approach to improving cancer outcomes for Aboriginal communities in the South West Victoria region.
  • Both projects have received funding in the latest round of the Australian Government and Cancer Australia's "Partnerships for Culturally Safe Cancer Care" grant program.
  • The projects aim to enhance accessibility to care, enable earlier detection and diagnosis, and provide culturally appropriate mental health support, ultimately working towards better cancer outcomes for First Nations people.
  • Andrea Casey, Peter Mac's Aboriginal Health Unit Project Officer, is leading the initiative, placing the First Nations health workforce at the center of a new, collaborative approach to improving health outcomes and experiences.

Statistics:

  • $24.6 million in funding was allocated to 20 successful projects in the latest round of the Australian Government and Cancer Australia's "Partnerships for Culturally Safe Cancer Care" grant program.
  • Cancer remains the leading cause of death for First Nations people, according to Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health the Hon. Rebecca White.
  • The projects aim to support better outcomes for First Nations patients, including enhancing accessibility to care, enabling earlier detection and diagnosis, and providing culturally appropriate mental health support.

Sources:

  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
  • Australian Government and Cancer Australia
  • The Hon. Rebecca White, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health
  • Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
  • Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative
  • Kirrae Health Service
  • Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation
  • Western District Health Service
  • Portland District Health
  • South West Healthcare VIC
  • Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service
  • St. Vincent's Hospital