Western Health reaffirms our support for First Nations self-determination

In the wake of the recent outcome of the First Nations Voice to Parliament Referendum, Western Health acknowledges that this has been a challenging period for many Australians, particularly First Nations people who have long advocated for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the First Nations Voice to Parliament.

This is a time for unity, and we encourage our whole community to treat each other with respect and integrity.

The Western Health Board of Directors acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our sites stand, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We reaffirm our commitment to the healing of country, working towards equity in health outcomes and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

At Western Health, we are committed to ensuring First Nations people have the right to self-determination during their healthcare journey. We firmly believe in the guiding principle of self-determination, where First Nations people and communities are empowered to own, direct and make decisions in designing their healthcare journey.

This is not the end of the road to reconciliation, a journey that has not been easy for many First Nations people.

It continues to be a constant fight for justice, truth-telling and for self-determination. Western Health pays our respects to those who have fought and those who continue to fight for these rights.

Western Health reaffirms our commitment to working in partnership with our First Nations staff, volunteers, patients, consumers and families to achieve long-lasting improvement and change.