Culturally safe health services

Health services delivering cancer information, services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must operate in ways that show both understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Cultural safety in healthcare requires consideration of behaviours, attitudes and policies¹ with health service design and delivery informed and monitored with meaningful community leadership and engagement.

Key elements contributing to the cultural safety of health services include a culturally competent workforce, safe and welcoming healthcare environment, access for patients to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and respectful cross-cultural communication.

Data availability

There are currently no national data available for this indicator.

Given the range of health services and settings in which cancer information, services and support are delivered across the cancer continuum, monitoring of cultural safety is likely to require information from multiple sources, including primary care and hospital services. 

Data available from existing sources (not specific to cancer control) include:

- number of AHPRA registered clinicians working in hospitals who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (drawn from the National Health Morbidity Database (NHMD)

- experiences of racism of discrimination (drawn from Mayi Kuwayu: The National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing; Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey; National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey).

References

1. Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. Cultural Respect Framework 2016–2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. Canberra: AHMAC. 2016.