HAVING a patient’s family involved in the medical process is a key to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, according to TAFE Western’s Aboriginal Elder of the Year.
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Albert Ryan, who completed his training through TAFE, was awarded the title at an Outstanding Graduating Student Awards presentation at the Orange campus on Thursday, and said he was “surprised and shocked” to receive the award.
As an Aboriginal health worker through Western NSW Local Health District, Mr Ryan works with patients and their families to make sure they receive support from a range of health professionals. He also implements community education programs.
“We work with the family [of Aboriginal patients] to get them on board, we encourage them to head along to doctors’ appointments too, so they know what needs to be done at home to help the patient out,” Mr Ryan said.
“It can really help them with managing the disease because the family is also getting knowledge and understanding.”
Mr Ryan was also a founding member of Coonabahloo Gibir (Wiradjuri for ‘men of Canobolas’), a men’s support group with the aim to empower Orange’s males to take responsibility not only for themselves, but also for their families and the community.
While he has taken a step back from running the group, Mr Ryan said it was important to provide support for men who had lost their way, including domestic violence perpetrators.
“When you look around there are things for women, but nothing for men,” Mr Ryan said.
Orange’s Amber Noon was also named as one of the top 12 TAFE graduates from 2014, claiming the title of TVET Student of the Year, after completing certificate III in health services assistance (assisting in nursing work in acute care).
