The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), Maranguka Community Hub and Seer Data & Analytics have formally entered into a data-sharing agreement (DSA) to enhance data-driven decision making and service design to support the Bourke community.
Maranguka Community Hub uses data from a range of sources, including WNSWLHD, NSW Health and non-government agencies, to better understand the needs of the Bourke community, particularly Aboriginal people living in the area.
WNSWLHD Chief Executive Mark Spittal said the DSA formalises processes for, and protections around data sharing, storage and use in health service planning.
“Our District has a long-standing relationship with Maranguka Community Hub including safely sharing some information to support its work, but we felt this part of the relationship could be strengthened further with a formal agreement,” Mr Spittal said.
“We have worked with Maranguka over the last 18 months to develop the DSA, which was signed at Bourke on Thursday 15 August.
“Having reliable information, which is stored and shared safely, is at the heart of good planning for services in the community.
“This kind of information also has particular signficance for Aboriginal people, and we wanted to ensure it was protected and respected in a formal agreement.”
Seer Data & Analytics will provide technical insight and develop a practical and functional platform to safely store and utilise the shared data.
WNSWLHD Executive Director of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Tony Martin said thorough consultation was undertaken across the three parties to ensure the DSA’s development and implementation was culturally safe and appropriate.
“We worked extensively to ensure the right kinds of protections are in place to acknowledge, respect and maintain our Aboriginal communities’ right to govern how their personal or community data is collected, stored and used,” Mr Martin said.
“By developing the new DSA we have made sure the rights, experiences, values and knowledge of Aboriginal people and communities continues to be reflected in the way data is used in service planning and delivery.
“Strengthening and building our governance processes and our relationships with Aboriginal organisations is a fundamental aspect of our District’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and agreements like this help us take another step on our journey to reconciliation.”
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