WA Health is committed to improving the health of Aboriginal people and providing staff with access to Aboriginal Cultural Learning is a priority in achieving this outcome.
The WA Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Framework 2015-2030 (PDF 10MB) identifies ‘a culturally respectful and non-discriminatory health system’ as a WA Health strategic direction.
This can be achieved by providing Aboriginal cultural education and training opportunities which builds the health system’s capacity, capability and responsiveness to service the health needs of Aboriginal people living in Western Australia. Attaining cultural competency is an ongoing process that requires continuous reflection and review for the health professional, health services and health system.
The Aboriginal Cultural eLearning (ACeL) - Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing is a new (released April 1 2021) cultural learning course that builds on previous ACeL courses to enable people to develop their cultural competency and to improve cultural safety for Aboriginal patients.
The training covers key concepts such as:
- The cultural determinants of health.
- Aboriginal people experience and access of health services.
- Historical and contemporary factors that impact Aboriginal people’s current health and wellbeing, including implicit bias and systemic racism.
- Personal and organisational practices that can be reshaped to better meet the needs of Aboriginal people and communities.
The Director General has mandated that all WA health staff complete the new ACeL training, even if they have completed previous ACeL courses (under the MP 0065/17 Aboriginal Cultural eLearning Policy). Employees who have completed the previous ACeL training will have a two-year period to complete the new course. Other employees and new starters will have six months to complete the ACeL.
The online course takes about 1.5 hours to complete and can be claimed towards continuing professional development (CPD) points. Staff can enter and leave the course as they need to, and start from where they finished off last time.
The Aboriginal Cultural eLearning will be available via the employees relevant DOH or HSP Learning Management Platform.
The journey of health and wellbeing
The Journey of Health and Wellbeing animated video helps to promote understanding of Aboriginal people’s experience from colonisation to the present day.
The 10-minute animation shows how events of the past play out in the present and offers a framework of hope and equity.
Watch more of our videos at the WA Health YouTube channel (external site).
Last reviewed: 18-03-2021
Produced by
Aboriginal Health