Working better with Aboriginal clients: addressing sexual health, HIV and hepatitis C

Aug 19 2008

Improving access to sexual health and related services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in NSW will be among the issues discussed at a workshop coordinated by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

The workshop, to be held in Sydney tomorrow (Wednesday 20 August), is organised by the Consortium for Social and Policy Research on HIV, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases, which is run by the National Centre in HIV Social Research at UNSW and funded by NSW Health.

"There is certainly a need to improve access to mainstream sexual health services for Aboriginal people," says Aboriginal health researcher James Ward, who is based at UNSW's National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR).

The NSW Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy currently implemented by NSW Health recognises that the issue is a priority, Mr Ward says.

"Continuing access to effective sexual health service delivery is an essential part of reducing sexually transmissible infections among Aboriginal people," he says.

The workshop, Access, respect and partnership: how can mainstream services work better with Aboriginal people? looks at current practice and how that might be improved.

"This workshop is an opportunity for workers from mainstream organisations to carefully reflect on how their services are organised and delivered and how they can work better with Aboriginal people," says Associate Professor Carla Treloar, Manager of the Consortium.

A recent report shows that the rate of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in some major locations is almost four times higher than among non-Indigenous people.

The workshop delegates will have the opportunity to see practical examples of successful engagement with Aboriginal people at both the service and community levels.

What: Access, respect and partnership: how can mainstream services work better with Aboriginal people?
When: 10am to 3.30pm, Wednesday 20 August
Where: Dockside Balcony level of Cockle Bay Wharf (city side of Darling Harbour)

CONTACTS: Associate Professor Carla Treloar, National Centre in HIV Social Research, UNSW, 9385 6959; or Susi Hamilton, UNSW Media Office, 9385 1583 or 0422 934 024, [email protected]