Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (LHD) is committed to supporting Aboriginal people and communities to be healthy and access services that meet their needs.
Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, as part of NSW Health, is committed to providing inclusive, culturally respectful work environments and health services.
We work to achieve Aboriginal health equity through strong partnerships. This is underpinned by the principles of trust, respect for cultural values and beliefs, the right to self-determination, effective communication, empowerment, transparency and accountability.
Our Aboriginal Health Plan 2021-2026 (PDF 4.37MB) provides Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s agenda for improving health outcomes among Aboriginal people and improving the experience of Aboriginal patients.
Use our Service Directory to find a health service near you.
Our specialised team is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and improving access to our services for all.
Our Aboriginal Health Unit provides expert cultural and strategic advice on policy, programs and service delivery to the LHD Board and leaders.
We also work closely with community groups and external partners to improve understanding of the issues and barriers that Aboriginal people may experience in accessing health services
We have Aboriginal health workers to help patients and families access the services they need, including within our Drug and Alcohol Service and Mental Health Unit.
‘Health does not just mean the physical wellbeing of the individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community’
The Mootang Tarimi Mobile Outreach Service delivers a range of health services, health education and community engagement programs across our area using a flexible, bus-based model of care.
The service started in 2008, initially as a screening service. It was redeveloped through co-design with local Aboriginal communities and our Aboriginal Health Unit in 2019. The service now works with local communities to identify and respond to areas of need.
The bus is staffed by a registered nurse and an Aboriginal health worker, and other health workers come along as needed.
It’s an opportunity to yarn with relevant health professionals in an accessible, comfortable, and culturally safe environment.
Mootang Tarimi has delivered multiple services via this model, including cardiac, renal, diabetes, dental, mental health and women’s and men’s health clinics. Extensive community consultation allows the team to tailor these clinics to each community they visit. For example, women’s health clinics have sometimes included breast screening, Tresillian services, sexual health and relationship services or domestic violence support.
Patients may continue seeing the visiting health professional in other settings or be referred on to other services by the Mootang Tarimi team.
We help women and their families feel culturally safe during their journey from pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.
We offer several options for antenatal care in pregnancy, including general practitioner (GP) shared care and obstetric led care and midwifery led care. We also offer the following specialist services:
Other services available include counselling with a psychologist, social work, mental health and drug and alcohol services for pregnant women, and Quit for new life smoking program.
The Nepean Blue Mountains Family Metabolic Health Service, which includes the Obesity, Pregnancy and Lifestyle (OPAL) Clinic for pregnant women, is also available. Women attending the OPAL Clinic have access to a midwife, obstetrician, dietitian, physiotherapist and psychologists.
After bub is born, a child and family health nurse and Aboriginal family health worker from Mudang Mudjin (Building Strong Foundations service) can see you and your child for developmental checks until your child starts school. We can see you at home or wherever you prefer to be seen in the community.
Cultural support is available at any time – ask your midwife to contact the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer for support.
See Women, maternity and children's health for more information on Nepean Blue Mountains maternity services.
We work closely with the local network of GPs and other health providers (primary health network), and with community groups, to provide health services that meet the needs of everyone in our community.
The Nepean Blue Mountains PHN is an independent organisation run by Wentworth Healthcare and funded by the Australian Government.
They offer a range of health services specifically developed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region. See Nepean Blue Mountains PHN Aboriginal Health.
Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
It provides services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Sydney, Nepean and Blue Mountains regions including:
The Australian Government’s Indigenous Australians' Health Programme (IAHP) funds high-quality, Indigenous-led health care initiatives to help improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Each initiative targets specific areas of need, including better access to health care, support for managing chronic conditions, eye and ear health, and giving children a good start.
See a list of programs funded under the IAHP and opportunities to apply for funding at GrantConnect.
