Barwon Health has an Aboriginal Health Liaison Service located at University Hospital Geelong. The service provides support and advocacy to Aboriginal patients and their families within the acute health setting during business hours.

Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers play a pivotal role within the hospital environment in facilitating the delivery of culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal patients and act as cultural brokers between Aboriginal patients and the hospital system enabling understanding of the needs of Aboriginal patients in the provision of health care.

The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer promotes community liaison and provides practical support throughout departments within University Hospital Geelong, providing support for people who require access to the hospital as an inpatient or outpatient.

The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer can

  • Provide cultural and social support
  • Support to attend appointments
  • Explore different care options available to Aboriginal patients
  • Provide support to Aboriginal families
  • Talk about referrals
  • Connect Aboriginal patients and their families with other services in the community
  • Talk about discharge planning
  • Talk to doctors and nurses at the patient’s request

Manager – Aboriginal Health Programs
Renee Owen: 4215 2126 or email: renee.owen@barwonhealth.org.au

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers
Office hours: 8am – 4pm (Monday to Friday)
Michael Ryan: 4215 0769 or email: maryan@barwonhealth.org.au
Renee Van Parreren: 4215 0768 or email:renee.vanparreren@barwonhealth.org.au

Barwon Health provides a professional, confidential interpreting service to ensure that you or your family member understands and makes informed decisions regarding care and treatment.

Access to interpreters by telephone or onsite are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. If you require an interpreter, please ask a staff member to organise one for you.

‘Often it’s more than our bodies that hurt and require healing’

Pastoral Care understands that every person is a spiritual being and thus spiritual need is universal.

Pastoral Care is expressed in many different ways but at its centre is the importance of ‘being there for others’ with a concern for each person’s whole well-being.

On Call Service

Pastoral Care offers an on-call service outside normal business hours.

Spirituality Centre

The Spirituality Centre is located on Level 3 near Admissions. We hope all people feel welcome here. It is a place of peace for reflection, meditation and/or prayer. There is a service of Holy Communion at 10am every Sunday morning. Please ask a staff member if you need assistance to attend. Tranquility Zone, a multi-faith meditation, is held at 3pm on the second Sunday of the month. Other services, such as blessings, remembrance and thanksgivings may be organised through the pastoral care staff.

Specific Religious Care

Pastoral Carers understand and respect the relationship between faith and health. We seek to enable each person to recognise and draw on their own spiritual resources and strength. Pastoral Care will access representatives of particular faith groups as requested.

Contact

You can request nursing staff on your ward contact Pastoral Care on your behalf or phone (03) 4215 0627.

Page last updated: June 25, 2024