Orbost Regional Health is looking to grow and expand its Diversity Committee, and is seeking community members that can offer new perspectives into how the health service works for local people from all different backgrounds.
The purpose of the Diversity Committee is to make sure ORH is better able to serve people often described as “minority” populations, such as Indigenous Australians, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, gay, lesbian and transgender people, homeless people, and people living with disability.
“We want our local health service to be a place that is inclusive and respectful to everyone that comes through our doors,” said Manager of the Medical and Dental clinics, Andrew Phillips. “In order to provide the best possible care for people, we need to understand something about them; what their unique needs and concerns might be, their fears, how they might respond to the hospital environment, or barriers they have to accessing health services in the first place.
"We need input and guidance from the kinds of people that are, all too often, not represented on our advisory boards and committees. That’s our invitation. Reach out to us. Get involved."
To help improve its understanding of the needs of people from minority populations in our community, ORH is looking for new people to join its Diversity Committee.
It is particularly eager to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people living in isolated communities, gay, lesbian and transgender people, people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and people living with disability.
To express your interest in being involved in the Diversity Committee, contact Andrew Phillips at Andrew.Phillips@orh.com.au or phone the ORH Medical Clinic on 5154 6777.
Andrew said the members of the Diversity Committee would make a real and immediate impact on the health service, doing things such as recommending and supporting new training initiatives for staff, organising promotional activities for significant events like Reconciliation Week, IDAHOBIT Day, and International Day of People with Disability, and implementing strategies to make ORH more accessible and welcoming to people from minority populations.
“We know we can do better, in terms of making sure ORH feels like a safe and welcoming place for everyone,” Andrew said. “But in order to do that, we need the help of the local community. We need input and guidance from the kinds of people that are, all too often, not represented on our advisory boards and committees. That’s our invitation. Reach out to us. Get involved.”
To express your interest in being involved in the Diversity Committee, contact Andrew Phillips at Andrew.Phillips@orh.com.au or phone the ORH Medical Clinic on 5154 6777.