Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre » Yarning board

Cultural Safety

• Annette Mageean

  

  Member
   

  12 July 2012

  Cultural Safety is important as its also about one own behaviours and how their own world view interprets interaction with others.
  
  As part of quality improvement. Amity looked at cultural safety and was part of a workshop that included the following objectives
  •Look at the role of culture in workplace practice
  •Examine the impact of different cultures
  •Identify own cultures
  •Develop a model for cultural safety in the workplace
  
  Intercultural work practice
  Work ---- Culturally Safety ---- Self
  
  

  Cultural Safety is important as its also about one own behaviours and how their own world view interprets interaction with others. As part of quality improvement. Amity looked at cultural safety and was part of a workshop that included the following objectives •Look at the role of culture in workplace practice •Examine the impact of different cultures •Identify own cultures •Develop a model for cultural safety in the workplace Intercultural work practice Work ---- Culturally Safety ---- Self
• Gay Foster

  

  Member
   

  30 May 2012

  Anni Hine Moana said:
  Hi My name is Anni. The term "cultural safety has been attributed to a Maori nursing student who made a plea at a meeting of health workers in the 1980's.
  "You talk about ethical safety, legal safety and physical safety...what about cultural safety?"
  Cultural safety is well beyond cultural sensitivity and awareness...it implies that people can comment on and be involved in changes to improve services.....it is achieved when those who use the service can define what constitutes, for them, culturally safe service.
  Summarising the literature on cultural safety, Professor Neil Thomson spoke of a shift in emphasis from attitude to behaviour....and also spoke of services not compromising the legitimate cultural rights, values and expectations of Aboriginal people.
  I have more on this topic- if you want me to, I can send you some resources.

  
  
  Hi Anni
  
  Thank you so much for your feedback – I am aware of the article and other publications around the Maori nursing student and cultural safety’s journey in drug and alcohol ) from there to here (in particular with our work here. I hear so often the term ‘culturally appropriate’ and the people who use it thinks it covers everything including ‘cultural safety’. So it’s been great to be able to yarn to some people around this issue and pass on the information to those working around me.

  [blockquote][b][url=/profile/annimoana]Anni Hine Moana[/url] said:[/b] Hi My name is Anni. The term "cultural safety has been attributed to a Maori nursing student who made a plea at a meeting of health workers in the 1980's. "You talk about ethical safety, legal safety and physical safety...what about cultural safety?" Cultural safety is well beyond cultural sensitivity and awareness...it implies that people can comment on and be involved in changes to improve services.....it is achieved when those who use the service can define what constitutes, for them, culturally safe service. Summarising the literature on cultural safety, Professor Neil Thomson spoke of a shift in emphasis from attitude to behaviour....and also spoke of services not compromising the legitimate cultural rights, values and expectations of Aboriginal people. I have more on this topic- if you want me to, I can send you some resources.[/blockquote] Hi Anni Thank you so much for your feedback – I am aware of the article and other publications around the Maori nursing student and cultural safety’s journey in drug and alcohol ) from there to here (in particular with our work here. I hear so often the term ‘culturally appropriate’ and the people who use it thinks it covers everything including ‘cultural safety’. So it’s been great to be able to yarn to some people around this issue and pass on the information to those working around me.
• Ruth Braunstein

  

  Member
   

  29 May 2012

  Colin: great definition you provide in your post, as a service provider & health professional it puts more 'meat on the bones' ... thanks, also great reference for the 2011 NACCHO work. Look forward to viewing.
  Anni: great perspective on the origins of the term, v refreshing to hear the personal plea.
  All: v interesting and meaningful posts.

  Colin: great definition you provide in your post, as a service provider & health professional it puts more 'meat on the bones' ... thanks, also great reference for the 2011 NACCHO work. Look forward to viewing. Anni: great perspective on the origins of the term, v refreshing to hear the personal plea. All: v interesting and meaningful posts.
• Anni Hine Moana

  

  Member
   

  29 May 2012

  Hi My name is Anni. The term "cultural safety has been attributed to a Maori nursing student who made a plea at a meeting of health workers in the 1980's.
  "You talk about ethical safety, legal safety and physical safety...what about cultural safety?"
  Cultural safety is well beyond cultural sensitivity and awareness...it implies that people can comment on and be involved in changes to improve services.....it is achieved when those who use the service can define what constitutes, for them, culturally safe service.
  Summarising the literature on cultural safety, Professor Neil Thomson spoke of a shift in emphasis from attitude to behaviour....and also spoke of services not compromising the legitimate cultural rights, values and expectations of Aboriginal people.
  I have more on this topic- if you want me to, I can send you some resources.

  Hi My name is Anni. The term "cultural safety has been attributed to a Maori nursing student who made a plea at a meeting of health workers in the 1980's. "You talk about ethical safety, legal safety and physical safety...what about cultural safety?" Cultural safety is well beyond cultural sensitivity and awareness...it implies that people can comment on and be involved in changes to improve services.....it is achieved when those who use the service can define what constitutes, for them, culturally safe service. Summarising the literature on cultural safety, Professor Neil Thomson spoke of a shift in emphasis from attitude to behaviour....and also spoke of services not compromising the legitimate cultural rights, values and expectations of Aboriginal people. I have more on this topic- if you want me to, I can send you some resources.
• Gay Foster

  

  Member
   

  29 May 2012

  Thank you Colin I appreciate your feedback. I had forgotten about NACCHO – How could I have done that

  Thank you Colin I appreciate your feedback. I had forgotten about NACCHO – How could I have done that
• Colin Cowell

  

  Member
   

  29 May 2012

  In 2011 NACCHO published an extensively researched paper titled
  
  “Creating the NACCHO Cultural Safety Training Standards and Assessment Process”
  
  Obviously time does permit to discuss the complete report but if you are interested in the project you can download it from our website.
  
  http://www.naccho.org.au/activities/safety.html
  
  Firstly a very important explanation on why we use the phrase Cultural Safety and not Cultural awareness and other such terminology like cultural competence and cultural, security safety and respect.
  
  Without going into too much detail the reason we – the ACCH SECTOR - use the term cultural safety. Cultural safety training shifts the focus onto the individual health practitioners and the health system in which they operate, from othering and knowing that another culture exists to owning our experiences and the way we react to and respect that culture
  
  Cultural Safety Training looks at how the health system ensures that the rights of Aboriginal Peoples receive high quality services that result in better health outcomes are met through the consideration and incorporation of respect for culture and understanding our own responses to cultural diversity.
  
  Regards
  Colin
  News and info alerts: http://nacchocommunique.com
  
  Twitter @NACCHOAustralia
  Facebook Naccho Aboriginal Health
  
  
  

  In 2011 NACCHO published an extensively researched paper titled “Creating the NACCHO Cultural Safety Training Standards and Assessment Process” Obviously time does permit to discuss the complete report but if you are interested in the project you can download it from our website. http://www.naccho.org.au/activities/safety.html Firstly a very important explanation on why we use the phrase Cultural Safety and not Cultural awareness and other such terminology like cultural competence and cultural, security safety and respect. Without going into too much detail the reason we – the ACCH SECTOR - use the term cultural safety. Cultural safety training shifts the focus onto the individual health practitioners and the health system in which they operate, from othering and knowing that another culture exists to owning our experiences and the way we react to and respect that culture Cultural Safety Training looks at how the health system ensures that the rights of Aboriginal Peoples receive high quality services that result in better health outcomes are met through the consideration and incorporation of respect for culture and understanding our own responses to cultural diversity. Regards Colin News and info alerts: http://nacchocommunique.com Twitter @NACCHOAustralia Facebook Naccho Aboriginal Health
• Avinna Trzesinski

  

  Member
   

  28 May 2012

  Hi Gay,
  
  I have a definition from the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH) Aboriginal Cultural Orientation online course 'cultural terminology' which states that cultural safety "Involves health providers working with individuals, organizations and, sometimes, the community’. It extends beyond cultural awareness and sensitivity. It includes a deeper level of interaction that facilitates thoughtful practice that promotes safe service, as defined by those who receive the service. Unsafe cultural practice comprises any action which diminishes, demeans or disempowers the cultural identity and wellbeing of an individual."
  
  This definition is just one, I am sure there will be other interpretations.
  
  The CUCRH website is at the following link:
  http://www.cucrh.uwa.edu.au/
  
  Kind regards,
  Avinna
  

  Hi Gay, I have a definition from the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH) Aboriginal Cultural Orientation online course 'cultural terminology' which states that cultural safety "Involves health providers working with individuals, organizations and, sometimes, the community’. It extends beyond cultural awareness and sensitivity. It includes a deeper level of interaction that facilitates thoughtful practice that promotes safe service, as defined by those who receive the service. Unsafe cultural practice comprises any action which diminishes, demeans or disempowers the cultural identity and wellbeing of an individual." This definition is just one, I am sure there will be other interpretations. The CUCRH website is at the following link: http://www.cucrh.uwa.edu.au/ Kind regards, Avinna
• Ruth Braunstein

  

  Member
   

  13 May 2012

  Its a term that came from New Zealand (Ao Tearoa, spelling, sorry) Nurses Council. Here's a link to some of their resources (see below)
  
  As an independent provider of services, I'm keenly aware of this term. Its gained greater use and recognition, its also known by other similar names.
  Re: a short definition: a working definition that I apply in my practice is that the service user (eg. local Aboriginal community member) feels safe and at ease in all aspects of the service, including the service setting (where the service is provided). Please feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken, or dialogue about this.
  
  Also recommended check out Dr Tracy Westerman's site "Indigenous Psychology Services" http://www.indigenouspsychservices.com.au/ for some great resources including individual and organisational assessment for cultural competence.
  
  Cultural safety
  http://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/index.cfm/1,54,0,0,html/Guidelines

  Its a term that came from New Zealand (Ao Tearoa, spelling, sorry) Nurses Council. Here's a link to some of their resources (see below) As an independent provider of services, I'm keenly aware of this term. Its gained greater use and recognition, its also known by other similar names. Re: a short definition: a working definition that I apply in my practice is that the service user (eg. local Aboriginal community member) feels safe and at ease in all aspects of the service, including the service setting (where the service is provided). Please feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken, or dialogue about this. Also recommended check out Dr Tracy Westerman's site "Indigenous Psychology Services" http://www.indigenouspsychservices.com.au/ for some great resources including individual and organisational assessment for cultural competence. Cultural safety http://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/index.cfm/1,54,0,0,html/Guidelines
• Gay Foster

  

  Member
   

  2 April 2012

  ‘Culturally safe service provision’ Does anybody have a short definition and a reference for this phrase please?
  
  Gay Foster

  ‘Culturally safe service provision’ Does anybody have a short definition and a reference for this phrase please? Gay Foster