Principle 2: Aboriginal NSW Health staff are recognised in the NSW Health system and are supported and empowered to participate in shared decision making, governance and accountability structures

What is the aim of this principle?

This principle aims to:

recognise the diversity of cultural knowledge and skill sets that Aboriginal NSW Health staff bring into their roles,
support Aboriginal NSW Health staff to participate in shared decision making for decisions that impact Aboriginal people in NSW Health,
empower Aboriginal NSW Health staff to participate in shared decision making and governance structures in NSW Health,
strengthen the NSW Health system through embedding Aboriginal NSW Health staff into positions of leadership, governance and decision making in NSW Health.

“ I do not ‘lose’ my cultural knowledge when I work in NSW Health. Even though I am not in an identified role,
I bring my cultural knowledge and connections to Community to my role. This should be seen as a strength for me to work with Community to address their needs, which is what my job’s purpose is”
Aboriginal person in NSW Health Mental Health clinician role, rural consultation

Why is this important?

Aboriginal NSW Health staff are a critical part of the NSW Health system. Aboriginal staff, in both identified and non-identified roles, bring their cultural knowledge, perspectives, ways of working and lived experience as Aboriginal people into their work in NSW Health. Aboriginal staff play an important role in supporting and building the capacity and capability of the NSW Health system to deliver culturally safe services to Aboriginal people and Communities.

It is important that the NSW Health system recognises that Aboriginal people do not ‘lose’ or ‘leave at the door’ their cultural knowledge and experience. Rather, the knowledge and skills that Aboriginal people bring into their roles at NSW Health strengthens their ability to provide health services to people in NSW, particularly Aboriginal people.

In the development of this framework, we heard from many Aboriginal NSW Health staff members that they feel that their cultural knowledge and skills as Aboriginal people are not acknowledged and are undervalued by the NSW Health system.

“ Aboriginal NSW Health staff are critical to embed cultural governance within NSW Health without overburdening ACCHOs”
ACCHO CEO, Community Controlled Consultation

For this principle to be effectively implemented, it is critical that:

NSW Health empowers Aboriginal NSW Health staff in non-identified roles to self-determine how they would like to use their cultural skill set in their role. This includes supporting Aboriginal staff who choose to not participate in shared decision-making structures to have their choice respected.
NSW Health empowers Aboriginal NSW Health staff to identify where they would like to be involved in decision-making and governance processes,
NSW Health supports Aboriginal NSW Health staff to participate in shared decision-making structures, including ensuring that Aboriginal staff are trained and supported to participate,
NSW Health transforms its policymaking to recognise Aboriginal NSW Health staff’s expertise and connections to Community and enable Aboriginal NSW Health staff to design and deliver services that best suit their communities, for example, empowering Aboriginal NSW Health staff to co-create services with their local Communities to meet the needs that Community identifies.

“ I sit on a lot of committees as an Aboriginal staff member, but I don’t feel like I have voice. I feel that I am just there to tick a box.”
Aboriginal Project Officer, NSW Health, regional consultation

What does success look like for the NSW Health system?

Aboriginal NSW Health staff are recognised and valued in the NSW Health system for their cultural skills and lived experience as Aboriginal people. Aboriginal NSW Health staff are empowered by non-Aboriginal NSW Health staff, NSW Health processes and governance structures to participate in shared decision-making or governance structures if it is a part of their role or if they choose to do so. NSW Health systems embed senior Aboriginal NSW Health roles into governance and accountability structures at a clinical, operational and strategic level.