The Cultural Governance Model (the model) was established for the COVID-19 response in Hunter New England (HNE) LHD to embed an approach where Aboriginal people determined and led community and culturally informed pandemic public health control strategies and actions. The model was developed by the Public Health (PH) Aboriginal team with the PH Incident Command System (ICS). The model challenged the standard management hierarchy system for managing PH emergencies to embed cultural governance.
The model embedded Aboriginal staff, perspectives and input in both the planning and operational teams and functions of the response, and ensured that the systems, processes and decisions were culturally responsive and embedded the principles of Aboriginal health. An Aboriginal Governance Group on COVID-19 was established to provide a formal mechanism for Aboriginal leaders from government and ACCOs to work collaboratively, provide advice and make decisions about public health measures and service delivery for Aboriginal communities in HNE. The group provided advice to the PH Controller. The team recruited and employed Aboriginal people and partnered with the Aboriginal Health Unit to embed an Aboriginal Cultural Support process for the management of COVID-19 cases and close contacts.
The respectful shared leadership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal public health staff, which included Aboriginal staff being enabled to lead the response and non-Aboriginal staff championing the model in the ICS, was critical to its success. The model resulted in multiple positive outcomes for Aboriginal staff and Communities in the LHD. This included the formation of the PH Aboriginal team, Aboriginal cultural support, increased COVID-19 vaccinations provided to Aboriginal people, strengthened Aboriginal PH workforce, shared decision making between ICS teams and strengthened collaboration and connection with local Aboriginal Communities and organisations.
LHD/SHN managementPrinciple 2
