Respecting Victoria’s diverse cultures

18 March 2011

One of Melbourne’s major public hospitals is working to provide even better care for people with a disability, of indigenous background, and Victoria’s culturally diverse community.

Visiting the Royal Melbourne Hospital this week, Health Minister David Davis launched Melbourne Health’s Respecting our Community Action Plan.

“At the core of this plan are three population groups that experience higher levels of disparities in access to health services,” Mr Davis said.

“They are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from refugee and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people who have disabilities.”

Patients of Melbourne Health are diverse in terms of culture, language, age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status.

The plan aims to improve patient outcomes, better understand and care for diverse patients, support staff, create an accessible and welcoming hospital, strengthen community partnerships, consult widely and show leadership in diversity.

Mr Davis said Melbourne Health was to be commended for developing the Respecting our Community Action Plan and for its strong commitment to delivering high quality, safe and culturally sensitive healthcare to Victoria’s diverse communities.

“Health care that better responds to patient needs will ultimately result in improved quality, safety and outcomes for patients and reduced hospitalisation rates,” Mr Davis said.

About Melbourne Health

Melbourne Health provide comprehensive acute, sub-acute and community-based health care programs to about one-third of metropolitan Melbourne's population, as well as general and specialist services to regional and rural Victorians and statewide services.

People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds represent high patient numbers at Melbourne Health, with over 50 per cent of patients born outside Australia and 20 per cent having English as their second language.

Melbourne Health is a leader in responsive health care and is in a strong position to achieve the objectives outlined in this plan to ensure it delivers the highest possible care to Victoria’s diverse community.

Further information about Melbourne Health is available from the Melbourne Health website.