Improving access to quaternary and tertiary health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients by addressing their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing

Abstract

Our facility had no specific admission pathway to support the admission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients for planned gastroenterology procedures. The project aimed to decrease failure-to-attend rates with a health and wellness check that uses a yarning approach to support patients’ social and emotional well-being. The program was adapted from a previous model in surgical services that had significantly reduced non-attendance and cancellations. Results from the three-month pilot showed a decrease in non-attendance from 6.6 to 4.1 per cent, underscoring the effectiveness of the approach and benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by improving their access to tertiary health services.