Sorry Statements - one step to 'close the gap'
26 May 2010
Today is National Sorry Day and Chief Executive of Hunter New England Health Dr Nigel Lyons said framed copies of Hunter New England Health’s own Sorry Statement have now been placed in all Hunter New England Health hospitals and health services.
The apology, made by the Chief Executive on behalf of HNE Health, is contained in the Aboriginal Health Strategic Plan 2007-2011.
“The Area Executive Team and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Leadership Committee felt strongly that the Sorry Statement should be displayed at all facilities,” Chief Executive Dr Nigel Lyons said.
“It is a tangible statement of regret and sympathy, but also a powerful message about our commitment to the process of true reconciliation and closing the gap between the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Aboriginal people,” Dr Lyons said.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a substantially shorter life expectancy than that of non-Aboriginal people.
They experience higher rates of preventable illness such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
“Improving the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region is a key priority for Hunter New England Health,” Dr Lyons said.
“Improving access to our services and providing a welcoming atmosphere is also vital – and a key responsibility of each and every health worker.
“It is our belief that displaying this statement at our facilities will go a step further toward our goal of making health facilities more welcoming to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Dr Lyons said.
Hunter New England Health Director of Aboriginal Health Tony Martin said the Sorry Statements were just one step in the health service’s aim to ‘close the gap’.
“It is important that as health workers, we provide strong leadership and commitment to true reconciliation, as well as making our facilities and services more welcoming to Aboriginal people,” Mr Martin said.
There are many programs being implemented as part of this commitment.
“We are continuing to roll out our Cultural Respect Training Program across the health service,” he said.
“There is also our Aboriginal Employment Strategy, with the aim to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reflect the communities we provide services to. As of February 2010, there were 321 permanent Aboriginal employees in HNE Health and we’re consistently working to boost this number.”
Contact: Shannon Ramadge
Phone: (02) 6767 7136