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Spreading the word
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey ( left ) and head of Impact Mary Delahunty at the launch . Photo : HESTA
New book celebrates the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives .
By Eleanor Campbell
A collection of stories paying tribute to the efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives was recently launched in Melbourne .
Caring and Community : Stories from Aboriginal Nurses and Midwives details the achievements of eleven women who have left an enduring mark on the Australian healthcare system .
One of the storytellers , Lesley Salem , is the first Aboriginal person to become a nurse practitioner in the country . A descendant of Gringai-Wonnarua Nation in New South Wales , she has spent 19 years working in health facilities across Australia . “ I think it ’ s important that I encourage as many people as I can to become nurse practitioners ,” said Salem .
“ As an Aboriginal person , I ’ ve been offered to do medicine many times . I could have earnt a great deal of better money but I would not trade the nursing mode under any condition . “ My husband thinks I ’ m mad .” A generalist and chronic disease specialist practitioner , Lesley has travelled hundreds of kilometres to work in rural , regional and remote health facilities across the east coast of Australia .
She currently splits her time between Gidgee Healing in North-West Queensland and Biripi and Walhallow Aboriginal medical service in regional NSW .
Shortages in doctors and a one-sizefits-all care model are the key barriers preventing individuals and families from accessing suitable health services , she said .
“ It ’ s poor the way people in rural and remote settings are denied a choice in care .
“ We have only one model of care that ’ s allowed in this country and it ’ s dreadful .”
In her story , Lesley spoke of the discrimination she has experienced both as a health professional and as an Aboriginal woman . Cultural insensitivity , she said , is rife within the industry .
“ I simply look at the RACGP guidelines on the health assessment for Indigenous people and you have to actually ask an Indigenous person ‘ do you gamble ?’ and ‘ do you drink heavily ?’.
“ There ’ s a way of building up trust before you ask those questions ,” she said .
An accomplished painter , Lesley ’ s works incorporate Aboriginal symbolism and language to illustrate her journey working across rural and remote communities .
She utilises storytelling and craft in her everyday practice to establish trust and facilitate healing with those seeking her care .
“ I think art has a big place in healing and breaking the ice ,” she said .
“ It ’ s poor the way people in rural and remote settings are denied a choice in care .
“ Many questions we ask during health assessments can be absolutely intimidating .
“ You give stories about yourself and you show that nobody ’ s perfect and that no matter what , your information will be safe to give to me .”
Lesley ’ s story , along with those authored by over a dozen Indigenous nurses and midwives , was unveiled at the Her Place Women ’ s Museum in East Melbourne .
The published works were commissioned by superannuation fund HESTA as part of its Reconciliation Action Plan .
Head of Impact at HESTA , Mary Delahunty , said the project was initiated to highlight the achievements of each woman and to showcase the barriers they overcome on a daily basis .
“ This small collection of stories is one attempt to be able to recognise the importance of culturally safe practices and to be able to lead a conversation with our members to highlight the work in this area .
“ We know the best way to learn this is through the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives themselves .” ■ nursingreview . com . au | 19