1. A partnership of The Aboriginal Medical Service – Western Sydney (AMS-WS) and The University of Sydney Providing speech pathology services and student learning Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney Co-operative LTD KATRINA GOTT | Speech Pathologist/ Clinical Educator DONNA THOMAS | Speech Pathologist/ Clinical Educator DR ALISON PURCELL | Clinical Coordinator, Speech Pathology DR PATRICIA MCCABE | Course Director UG Speech Pathology Contact - katrina.gott@sydney.edu.au

2. CONTEXT ›Sydney has the greatest Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population..over 43 000 in 2001. ›Culture just as valued by communities in urban areas - Speech Pathology intervention needs to embrace the culture of the client. Obstacles : -Social and cultural factors e.g. Difference in concept of a disability. -Economic factors e.g. Transport issues. -Language, dialect and literacy differences. Relationship driven health practice 2 Urban Issues:

3. THE ABORIGINAL MEDICAL SERVICE – WESTERN SYDNEY AMS – WESTERN SYDNEY: ›Auburn to Lithgow........Windsor to Liverpool VISION: ›to provide high quality, appropriate, efficient and effective primary health care and related services. COMMUNITY CONTROLLED ABORIGINAL MEDICAL SERVICE: ›Run by the Aboriginal community for the Aboriginal community. ›The community has a say in the types of services provided. ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL HEALTH NEEDS 3

4. STUDENT SPEECH PATHOLOGY PROGRAM A partnership was created for delivering speech pathology services ›Community ownership and development. -The AMS pays The University of Sydney to provide this service. This has helped to maintain recognition of ownership in the community. ›The University of Sydney provides: -An experienced speech pathology clinical educator in an ongoing capacity. This has particularly helped to maintain relationships. -4 - 8 speech pathology students, one day per week each semester. Two individual therapy sessions per student. -Speech Pathology specific resources and sharing of information. ›The AMS staff provide: -Welcome, introduction and explanation of the service to speech pathology students. -Discussion with clients about commitment to the program. -Weekly phone contact with the families. -Transport to sessions. -Aboriginal Health Worker support on site each week. -Therapy spaces, student work spaces, administrative support and supplies. 4

5. BENEFITS ›For the clients: -Culturally appropriate therapy. -Aboriginal community based – no stigma. -Supported access to speech pathology for their children. -Holistic care. ›For the speech pathology students: -Understanding of Aboriginality and immersion in community. -Development of Speech Pathology competencies. -Development of University of Sydney graduate attributes such as, informed and considered professionalism and appropriate and empathetic communication skills. ›For the AMS-WS staff: ‒ Exposure to speech and language development expectations. ‒ Intervention support ideas. ‒ Skill building in identification of speech and language disorders. 5

6. CHALLENGES ›For speech pathology students: -Variable attendance impacts on student experiences gained -Fluidity of setting is unsettling for students -Learning in unfamiliar situations ›For clients: -An expectation of continuing attendance -Home practice -Limited and not ongoing service ›For the AMS staff: -University semesters clash with year round service and school terms. Creates breaks in service. ‒ Competing space demands. ‒ Sourcing adequate funding. 6

7. WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN? FOR STUDENTS :  Students have a lot to offer in this setting “My daughter loved the one on one.”  Students can learn an enormous amount in this setting “ Made us think about what other things they (the clients) are dealing with...not just speech therapy, it’s everything as well”  Students are more confident to engage with the Aboriginal community in the future “One thing I have learnt is that working with Aboriginal people is not too different to working with non-Aboriginal people. There are differences, but then, there are differences when working with all population groups” FOR THE COMMUNITY:  The Aboriginal community can readily access Speech Pathology services “Sam is talking and listening a lot better now”  A viable and positive way for Aboriginal families to engage with their health service and wider community “ I couldn’t afford speech pathology so am so happy that my kid got to have some”  The community is empowered by the ownership of it’s own service  An Aboriginal perspective to health, wellbeing, learning, communication and support is kept as a priority 7

8. 8 Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney Co-operative LTD