Are you Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
When you attend the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) you will be asked if you or your children are:
- Aboriginal
- Torres Strait Islander
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Why do staff need to ask this question?
There are four main reasons:
- Deciding if a person is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander based on looks alone is not reliable. The only sure way to find out is to ask.
- There are culturally specific services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For example, an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison or Aboriginal Mental Health Worker may then be offered.
- WA Health requires all health service providers to collect data on the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status of every person attending any WA health service.
- The answer provides information about the health status of all Australians. Knowing what services are needed means better health care for everyone.
Respecting your privacy
Agencies that ask you questions about yourself are bound by privacy rules and have a responsibility to protect the information you provide and your identity. You can ask the agency about its privacy policy before answering the questions.
You may also be asked other important questions such as:
- how old you are
- where you were born
- where you live
- your state of health or other important things.
Who might ask you these questions?
Staff in any of the following organisations may ask you these questions:
- hospitals
- community health services
- GP surgeries
- local councils.
The more we know, the better
These questions are not discriminatory and do not mean you will be treated differently.
Australian, State and Territory government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations need to know all they can about the health of people in WA to plan and provide appropriate health services.
The information your answers provide enable policies to be developed, funds to be allocated more appropriately, and services to be customised to areas of most need.
Your answers may also help the health service refer you to appropriate services when you are discharged. The aim of asking these questions is to work together with you to achieve better health for everyone.
If you are not asked this question at any point during your visit/healthcare stay, please let the staff know that you and/or your children are Aboriginal and/or Torres strait Islander.
More information
Please contact an Aboriginal Liaison Officer or staff member from the Child and Adolescent Health Service if you need assistance or more information: