Peninsula Health is thrilled to introduce our newest Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO) Nadine Mallah.
Nadine is a proud Birri Gubba woman from the Bindal Group (Nth QLD) residing on Bunurong / Boon Wurrung land and comes to Peninsula Health with an extensive background in communications, making her an ideal candidate for this position.
“Working with the Aboriginal community is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” says Nadine.
The role of an AHLO is to offer and provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing Peninsula Health facilities.
With 2 in 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffering from at least one chronic condition, ease of access to health services is crucial.
Whether it be in the Emergency Department (ED), or as an inpatient, Nadine will help patients requesting her support to navigate hospital processes. She is also well informed with outreach services that can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients requiring services outside of our organisation.
“Many people aren’t from this area and so don’t know what services are available to them. They unfortunately don’t have the kinship connections, which for the First Nations community is such an important and central part of our culture,” explains Nadine.
“To help combat these barriers, Patients will get a text message from me asking if they would like any face-to-face cultural support, they can then choose to contact me – it’s all about building that relationship.”
Nadine is also looking forward to engaging with the Willum Warrain Aboriginal gathering place in Hastings, Nairm Marr Djambana gathering place in Frankston and the Bunjilwara Koori Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs Healing Centre in Hastings to strengthen the rapport between local First Nations people and Peninsula Health.
On weekday mornings, Monday to Friday, you can find Nadine in the Frankston ED. She hopes to also be at Rosebud ED once a week later this month.
Nadine will automatically reach out to you if you have indicated your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity on admission.
Welcome to Peninsula Health Nadine.