Where Can I Find Help?

If you are worried about your health or the health of someone in your family, or if things are changing, talk to someone from your local health care team such as your GP or an Aboriginal Health Worker.
 

IF YOU NEED HELP NOW

• Dial 000 for immediate emergency services help
• Ring your GP, Aboriginal Health Service, or hospital
• After Hours GP Helpline
• Ring Lifeline on 13 11 14

There are also many resources that can help you find information or health services.

Links to Services and Organisations

• The National Health Service Directory has a listing of health services such as GPs, pharmacists and hospitals. You can also search for Aboriginal Health Services.
• Palliative Care Australia has developed the National Palliative Care Service Directory to help improve access to quality palliative care. You can use this to find a specialist palliative care service near you. Other types of services are also included in the database.
• CareSearch has a list of organisations that provide palliative care services and supports for each state and territory.
• CareSearch has a list of health organisations relevant to palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• CareSearch has information on Financial Help and Advice and Managing Finances
• MyAgedCare provides Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• The National Rural Health Alliance has a fact sheet about Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (127kb pdf) across Australia that help families with the cost of travel.
• If you have concerns about how you or your family are being treated, you might like to read Do you have a concern? (398kb pdf) from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
• There are also groups who can help you with getting access to care, such as Advocacy Services. For example, the Aged Rights Advocacy Service in South Australia offers a specific Aboriginal Advocacy Program.

• The social workers were a great help. I mean, I didn’t even know what a social worker was and you soon find out all these things

  A carer’s story. From Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf).
  Source:  Kelly J, Dwyer J, Mackean T, Willis E, O’Donnell K, Battersby M, et al. Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf). Melbourne: The Lowitja Institute; 2011. Page 22.

• The [Aboriginal Liaison Officers] were really friendly and asked if we were okay.

  A family member’s story of caring. From Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf).
  Source:  Kelly J, Dwyer J, Mackean T, Willis E, O’Donnell K, Battersby M, et al. Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kf pdf). Melbourne: The Lowitja Institute; 2011. Page 28.

• … the [hospital] staff were good. They give me a room, they let all my mob stay in one big room and they were good to talk to

  A carer’s hospital story. From Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf).
  Source:  Kelly J, Dwyer J, Mackean T, Willis E, O’Donnell K, Battersby M, et al. Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf). Melbourne: The Lowitja Institute; 2011. Page 35.

• Aboriginal [liaison officer] staff works in there, they come and spend most time with us, talking to us or if we need anything give them a buzz… asking us if we’re right, we need anything, need a cup of tea or anything … [Having] Aboriginal workers working there, that’s alright; makes us a bit comfortable, someone there talking to us instead of waiting for the nurses all the time.”

  A patient’s hospital story. From Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf).
  Source:  Kelly J, Dwyer J, Mackean T, Willis E, O’Donnell K, Battersby M, et al. Managing Two Worlds Together: Study 3 - The Experiences of Patients and Their Carers (902kb pdf). Melbourne: The Lowitja Institute; 2011. Page 28.

• The Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the hospital and the hospital Social Worker are good people to talk to too. It’s their job to keep on top of what services are available, and to give you options.

  A Daughter's story of her father's journey. From 'Making his own decisions', In our care into your hands (762kb pdf).
  Source: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District: Shoalhaven Palliative Care and Aboriginal Health Building Relationships Committee. In our care into your hands: Aboriginal stories about approaching the end of life. (762kb pdf) Illawarra Shoalhaven: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW Government; 2015. Page 12.

• I’ve had a lot of support from people who come around here. The outside help is much appreciated.

  A patient's story. From 'Gone Fishing', In our care into your hands (762kb pdf).
  Source: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District: Shoalhaven Palliative Care and Aboriginal Health Building Relationships Committee. In our care into your hands: Aboriginal stories about approaching the end of life. (762kb pdf) Illawarra Shoalhaven: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW Government; 2015. Page 8.

Next: Online Information and Stories

Last updated 21 March 2018