Capital Health Network

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CHN Annual Report 2020-21 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Cultural Competency Framework

CHN launched its Cultural Competency Framework (CCF) as a crucial step towards facilitating the co-design, funding and support programs and services that improve access to culturally safe health and wellbeing services to meet the needs of First Nations people. CHN is committed to a whole-of-organisation approach to continually improve systems of service and standards so that they better acknowledge and recognise the contribution of First Nations people and communities. By growing our cultural competencies our organisation will thrive with the knowledge, skills and confidence to work more effectively with First Nations colleagues, consumers, stakeholders and communities.

Current priority actions being implemented:

  • Definition of Cultural Safety within CHN.
  • Internal ‘Cultural Safety Audit Toolkit’ to review policies and procedures.
  • Individual ‘Cultural Competency Self Reflection Tool.’ This tool includes a resource hub for CHN staff to utilise and increase their knowledge to encourage a culturally proficient workforce better prepared to develop and strengthen relationships with First Nations people and communities.
  • Annual staff Cultural Awareness Training.

To reflect CHN’s cultural journey to date and the Cultural Competency Framework, local Indigenous artist Sarah Richards from Marrawuy Journeys was commissioned.

 l-r: Ngunnawal Elder Wally Bell, CHN Indigenous Health Program GP Advisor Dr Naomi Luck, CHN Indigenous Health Program Officer Sharon Storen, CHN CEO Megan Cahill, and Sarah Richards from Marrawuy Journeys at the launch of CHN’s Cultural Competency Framework.

Sarah created “Sunrise to Sunset” which is featured below an abstract representation of a First Nation individual surrounded by community and how the journey CHN is on, will positively contribute to the social and emotional wellbeing of the individual and the community.

The two interlocking lines that create the outline of the individual represents collaboration and co-design and ongoing commitment to learning and building relationships with First Nation people and communities.

The sunrise represents the new beginnings and is used to represent the beginning of CHN’s journey back in 2015.

The rain represents renewal and represents CHN’s renewed commitment to how services are delivered to First Nation people and communities from the creation of their CCF.

The stars represent the opportunities that lay ahead in CHN’s journey of implementing the CCF which will support CHN’s to advance how healthcare is delivered in the ACT.

Artwork by Sarah Richards.

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