NAIDOC Week (which is usually the first week of July but was postponed due to COVID-19) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This year’s theme is: “Always Was, Always Will Be”.
This could be a good time for you to think about how you practise respectful and culturally appropriate care (Criterion C2.1) in your practice – do you:
- Display Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander art and flags?
- Display signs acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land?
- Provide resources appropriate to the health literacy and cultural needs of your patients?
As per Criterion C7.1 – Content of Patient Health Records, practices must document the patient’s Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status in their health record. This question should be routinely asked and if a patient indicates that they do not wish to answer the question, then you should record ‘Not stated/ inadequately described’ in their health record. When asking the question, it should be explained to patients that this information helps in providing appropriate care.
References:Criterion C2.1 – Respectful and culturally appropriate care
Criterion C7.1 – Content of Patient Health Records