Closing the Gap in Eye Health in Central Australia

Supported Project

During 3 years, from 2023 to 2026, the Australian subsidiary of L'OCCITANE en Provence supports the Fred Hollows Foundation, in partnership with the Alice Springs Hospital, in a project that aims to establish the Alice Springs Eye Health Hub to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and cultural safety of eye health services in Central Australia. The Hub aims to enhance service coordination, patient access, and culturally safe eye care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Central Australia by creating a semiautonomous eye unit within the public hospital, that has increased control and management over the planning and utilization of resources to deliver services throughout the region. As a part of this eye hub, an Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) position will be a core team member, and will be critical to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients feel safe and supported when accessing services.

The ALO based at the Alice Springs Hospital works closely with the outreach ophthalmology team, visiting communities and providing information about eye health services, hospital processes, clinical treatment procedures, and support for travel and post-operative care. The team at Alice Springs Hospital provides eye health services to an area the size of Western Europe (800,000 km2), and a population of over 50,000 people.

The role of the ALO is to provide cultural, emotional, social and language support to patients when accessing eye health services - recognising that Central Australia is home to 16 main Indigenous Australian language groups and over 20 different dialects. For many Aboriginal people in the region, English is a second or third language. The ALO's assistance in language and translation is integral to ensure that patients have a strong understanding of their own health and can provide free, prior informed consent for surgical treatment. By offering holistic support and guidance, the ALO helps alleviate fears and concerns that community members may have about attending appointments with the ophthalmologist and the eye health team. The ALO's presence ensures that patients feel more comfortable and are more likely to attend their appointments, despite the potentially intimidating nature of eye procedures and the costs and challenges associated with traveling to Alice Springs.

Additionally, the ALO serves as a cultural broker, addressing negative experiences that patients may have had in hospital settings, such as having to leave their country for extended periods or encountering instances of institutional racism. The historical contexts and generational trauma, particularly prevalent in Central Australia, have contributed to a deep-rooted distrust in government and mainstream institutions. The ALO's understanding and acknowledgment of these issues are crucial in fostering trust and bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers. By combining language support, translation services, community connection, and cultural brokerage, the ALO plays a multifaceted role in ensuring culturally safe and responsive eye health care. By building a strong and culturally competent workforce, the Alice Springs Eye Health Hub initiative aims to bridge the gap in eye health outcomes and provide equitable access to eye care services in Central Australia.