Culturally safe medical hub stops men 'walking out the door'

Culturally safe medical hub stops men 'walking out the door'

A new medical hub in Western Australia's far north is focused on getting men to access healthcare.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows men are less likely to go to a doctor than women.

A Men's Hub in Kununurra has opened to deliver culturally safe care and encourage Indigenous men to get regular check-ups.

The Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service says dedicated funding is needed to support and expand the service

There can be many barriers to someone seeking medical help, including location, language and cultural sensitivities.

This is particularly so for Indigenous men living in northern Western Australia.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows men are less likely to see a GP than women, and one-in-five men do not visit a doctor at all.

In Kununurra, a remote town 3,000km north of Perth, a dedicated Men's Hub opened earlier this year to break down the barriers that stop Indigenous men from accessing timely care.

The hub, which offers walk-in GP appointments and social, emotional and addiction support, is operated by Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS).

OVAHS chief operating officer Caleb Edelsten said the centre was opened after the organisation noticed "reduced engagement by male patients".

"Men more broadly engage less with health services," he said.

Mr Edelsten said since the centre opened, about 180 men had used it and many returned for follow-ups.

In brief

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows men are less likely to go to a doctor than women. The Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service says dedicated funding is needed to support and expand the service There can be many barriers to someone seeking medical help, including location, language and cultural sensitivities. "Men more broadly engage less with health services," he said.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to ABC News Australia. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at ABC News Australia ↗

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