MPHN hears about health needs of Aboriginal people in Deniliquin

In early June, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) held a Yarns on the Couch session at the Deniliquin Yarkuwa Knowledge Centre to hear from local Aboriginal people about their health experiences and needs.

MPHN’s Aboriginal Health Strategy and Programs Manager Melinda Green, who was in attendance on the day, said those who attended provided many valuable insights into the current health needs of the community.

“Some of the key issues raised included limited information on available health services in Deniliquin and Aboriginal people feeling unheard when raising their health concerns,” Ms Green said.

“We also heard most Aboriginal people living in Deniliquin appreciate the Deniliquin Aboriginal Health Service which has a useful drop-in clinic.”

Deniliquin Yarkuwa Knowledge Centre Manager David Crew said those who attended appreciated the opportunity to share their stories and concerns.

“Yarns on the Couch was a great example of building relationships with members of our community who are passionate about making positive change to their experiences in the health system,” Mr Crew said.

“Yarkuwa hopes that this approach will continue so that genuine relationships can be built with trust and respect. It is only through this approach that we can hear the voices of those in the community most in need of support services.”

Acting MPHN CEO Narelle Mills said Yarns on the Couch is an important MPHN initiative designed to capture health needs and concerns of Aboriginal people from local communities across the Murrumbidgee region in a personal face to face environment.

“One of the most important ways in which we measure if we have the right services in the right places at the right time is by talking directly with people and giving them the opportunity to provide us with their concerns and experiences,” Ms Mills said.

“In addition to Yarns on the Couch events, we are also providing community members across the Murrumbidgee an opportunity to complete an online survey. I would like to thank all those who took the time to participate today.

“These activities provide us with some rich data to help get a better picture of what is happening in health at the local level and inform our next Health Needs Assessment for the region.”  

To provide feedback via a survey visit www.mphn.org.au/aboriginal-health-community and scroll down to the blue survey buttons.