Country Correspondent: Sonĵ Hall
The start of 2019 marks a turning point for Australian hospitals in delivering better and more appropriate care for Indigenous Australians, who have a 10-year-lower life expectancy compared with non-Indigenous Australians. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous leaders, the newly launched National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards User Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health provides advice and case studies to assist health services in meeting the new standards required to maintain accreditation starting January 1, 2019. The guide identifies six essential actions to close the gap, including Indigenous representation in governance structures and improved cultural competency in the workforce.
