KAPEL Telkuna’s new location is expanding the capacity for healthcare services to provide access to Aboriginal patients.
Manager Charmain Anton has big plans for the new office at 44 High Street, Swan Hill, across from the emergency department.
“Things are improving and there’s a lot more cultural acceptance, but we’re not going to take our foot off the pedal, we’ll keep improving and keep closing the gaps in Aboriginal healthcare,” she said.
“Our Aboriginal staff are all local, all connected to this community, and we have the passion and the drive to provide a professional, confidential and culturally safe service.”
Current plans include an after-hours Aboriginal officer, a waiting room for patients and families, hygiene packs and a full bathroom including a shower.
“The new waiting room will have utilities for patients and their families close enough to the ED that they can head straight back over when they are needed,” Ms Charmain said.
“Having a place where they can have a cuppa, charge their phones and have a chat with our team will help ensure that Aboriginal patients are staying to receive the care they need.
“Patients who have travelled long distances for surgery or treatment with their families will be able to wait in comfort instead of in their cars or in hospital hallways.”
The 2024 Lodden Mallee First Nations emergency care framework (the Blak Butterfly report) presented 15 recommendations for improvements to the healthcare network and has informed many of the plans Ms Anton has for Kapel Telkuna.
The report stated that six to 15 per cent of Aboriginal patients were leaving Loddon Mallee Emergency Departments before being seen, and that those who do walk out are at increased risk of re-presentation, disease or death.
“As hospital liaisons we’re helping patients understand the triage system in the ED,” Ms Anton said.
“We’re advocating for patients with nursing staff with a view to extending that service to 24 hours.
“The nurses are doing their best but ED numbers are large, so if we can get in and make waiting less stressful, we will do that to help Aboriginal people feel comfortable accessing emergency care.”
The team is working toward hosting medical and community services in a treatment room at Kapel Telkuna.
“These will include dieticians working with elders and young families, to help plan affordable diets for patients with diabetes and heart conditions, and educate parents on healthier early years lunchbox options,” Ms Anton said.
“The new space gives us the opportunity to host services such as podiatrists, physiotherapists and maternity support workers.
“In the future, we are working towards having a consultation room for specialty services, such as eye and heart specialists.”
Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer Deb Chaplin said there had been many improvements in the Kapel Telkuna service in the past year.
“Charmain’s skills and drive in this unit has pushed us all forward in the same direction,” she said.
“When the service started, we were in one room with two officers, so this bigger space will help our community access care and improve Aboriginal health.
“Over the years I’ve had a lot of support from Swan Hill District Health (SHDH).
“We’re passionate about our community and their health and are working to ensure everyone receives a professional and confidential service.”
Ms Anton and the Kapel Telkuna team will continue to introduce the recommendations in the Blak Butterfly report.
“We know that there are still barriers to Aboriginal people accessing necessary healthcare,” she said.
“These recommendations won’t fix the issues straight away, but we’re working towards that.”
Kapel Telkuna invites the Aboriginal community to their reference group meetings where people can share their experiences to help shape the future of the service.
Contact the Kapel Telkuna unit on 5033 9323 for more information.
