Aboriginal Programs provides support and advocacy to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, women carrying an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby, and their families. We are available to assist in all patient service areas at Mercy Hospital for Women and Werribee Mercy Hospital.

The Aboriginal Programs space at Werribee Mercy Hosptital, Weelam-ik Murrup Dornong, provides a safe and welcoming environment for patients, families, staff and community attending the hospital. Weelam-ik Murrup Dornong translates to ‘My home, life, heart’. It is a combination of both Boonwurrung  and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) language words, representing the Aboriginal people local to Werribee. Patients and visitors can locate our space in the main hospital, adjacent to the central corridor, near the cafe.

The Aboriginal Programs team is made up of a number of people who can support you during your hospital stay.

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO)

The AHLO welcomes and provides support and information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families who attend Werribee Mercy Hospital. The AHLO will support you throughout your experience in connecting with medical, nursing, allied health and other support staff.

Support for patients and families can include:

• providing a culturally safe place for clients and families to wait for appointments where they can have a cuppa, a feed and a yarn
• attending appointments with clients when requested
• providing emotional, social and cultural support
• linking clients with appropriate external services
• working closely with hospital staff to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a voice in their care.

Aboriginal Women’s and Children’s Liaison Officer

Nangnak Wan Myeek ‘Nurture, Care, Look after me and Mine’

The Aboriginal Women’s and Children’s Liaison Officer provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, women carrying an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby, and their families, following the baby’s birth.

Support through this program includes:

• help accessing services, such as breastfeeding support and paediatrics
• support for families whose babies have been admitted to special care nursery
• attending your postnatal home visits with a nurse
• advising on healthy child development, such as breastfeeding and immunisations
• linking you with local Aboriginal organisations and additional government supports
• helping you through difficult situations, such as those involved with DFFH Child Protection.

We also help you connect with Maternal and Child Health Services at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service or through mainstream community health services and local councils.

You can access our services by:

• talking to the people providing your care at Werribee Mercy Hospital
• contacting us directly
• external referral.

 Reconciliation Action Plan & Aboriginal Programs

• Download the Mercy Health Reconciliation Action Plan by clicking ‘Action Plan’ on the right above.
• Mercy Health Reconciliation Action Plan Launch Video
• Mercy Health Aboriginal Programs