The WA Country Health Service makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy, currency and reliability of the information contained in this publication. However, changes in circumstances over time may impact on the accuracy of this information.

Welcome

We know that health outcomes are better for patients who feel culturally safe in healthcare services and there are many ways this can be achieved. People are more likely to access the services they need if they feel welcome and safe to do so. Across our services we continue to make improvements in the cultural security of the services we provide and the cultural competency of our workforce.

Being informed about and understanding your health condition and care is important. This can be challenging when English is not your first language. This is the case for many Aboriginal people in Western Australia.

In 2019 the world celebrates the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages. In 2016 the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues reported that 40 per cent of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the world are in danger of disappearing, with the majority of these being indigenous languages.

Similarly to the way we use Aboriginal art in way finding to help people feel welcome in our services, the use of local language can be a powerful message of inclusion. We are proud to showcase some of these initiatives in our 2018-19 Annual Report.

To all who rely on our services across this wide and diverse state we say:

Welcome. We care about you.

Yarra-rni! Kuliamapla – lajunta nyuntu!
Martu

Barriyanygoo ngenayi-bag. Woonjoo yimberremendayinnoonggoorr.
Miriwoong

Yarrnyi-ya ngarmpurrjulaju karnyil-ku nyuntu.
Kukatja

Weelod habee for yoobulu to be heeyu. En melu habee to loogardim yoomob.
Kimberley Kriol

Gurramurlarr mingiya. Milad gundon.
Ngarinyin

Mapirri ngunawurlipa. Nganamparlu marnanyalu ngampurrikarrku.
Walmajarri

Wai pukulpa pitjama. Nganana nyuranya atunymananyi.
Pitjantjatjara

Yura ngurra. Yurangan nyinan mulungga ngurra.
Jaru

Maboo ngimbi. Kaliya maboo yarrinjiya.
Nyikina

Wanju Ngala Djinung Ngolanga Noonook.
Noongar

Nyuntuti nyurrra palya? Ngayutilu lurtjumangkurraku nyuntiti.
Yulparija

Ngaji gurrjin. Yangarrajalan gurryirr.
Yawuru

Gnullimardah boogulardingyi gnindahgoo.
Ingaarda

Ngalypa kutalayi nyungukarti. Nganana pikaly wakaj waninyiini.
Nyangumarta

Wayirti, nganinangku nganjurrungku tukujanpaya ngarlungka kaniny kaniny.
Karajarri

Wutayi, nyuntku mularrpa kanyira.
Ngalia

Yuwa. Ngayulula ngaltutjarra nyuntunya walykumunu kunyinma.
Ngaanyatjarra

Waayi. Nyarrula ngurranya kanyinyi.
Tjupan

Yuwa. Ngalipa kanyilku nyurra.
Wangkatja

We acknowledge that there are many Aboriginal and other language groups across Western Australia. Within these groups there may also be a number of dialects. Only a sample of these many and rich languages are represented here.

Acknowledgement

The WA Country Health Service acknowledges the Aboriginal people of the many traditional lands and language groups of Western Australia. We acknowledge the wisdom of Aboriginal Elders past and present and pay respect to Aboriginal communities of today.

Using the term - Aboriginal

Within Western Australia, the term Aboriginal is used in preference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, in recognition that Aboriginal people are the original inhabitants of Western Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander may be referred to in the national context and Indigenous may be referred to in the international context. No disrespect is intended to our Torres Strait Islander colleagues and community.

Aboriginal people should be aware that this publication may contain images or names of deceased persons in photographs or printed material.

[Image (PDF only):Reynald McIntosh performing the Welcome to Country at the 2019 Ngamari Free 'World No Tobacco Day' Block Party in Kellerberrin.] 

About this report

This annual report describes the performance and operation of the WA Country Health Service during 2018–19. The report has been prepared according to parliamentary reporting and legislative requirements and is arranged as follows:

• Overview
  An introduction to the WA Country Health Service vision, values and strategic directions, reports by our Chair and Chief Executive and key highlights from 2018-19.

• Governance
  Information about our structure, legislative environment, Board and Executive members.

• Agency performance
  Summarises our performance against agreed financial and service delivery outcomes. This section includes financial statements and key performance indicators.

• Significant issues
  Key issues for the WA Country Health Service, including addressing inequity and disadvantage; building healthy and thriving communities; engaging our workforce; and our input to the Sustainable Health Review.

• Disclosure and compliance
  Reports on governance, public accountability, financial management, information management, people management and equity and diversity.

• Appendices
  Additional information and data to supplement the report.

Statement of compliance

FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2019

Hon Roger Cook MLA
Minister for Health

In accordance with section 63 of the Financial Management Act 2006, we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the WA Country Health Service for the reporting period ended 30 June 2019.

The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006.

Professor Neale Fong Chair
WA Country Health Service Board
17 September 2019

Mr Alan Ferris Board Member WA Country Health Service Board
17 September 2019