In an effort to improve customer experience and staff professionalism the Wheatbelt Health Network will be partnering with the Bilya Koort Boodja Centre to be provided with cultural awareness training.
The training will be funded by a recently awarded grant under the Building Better Regions Fund for the Network's 'Cultuoristy Project'.
Wheatbelt Health Network chief executive officer Dr Harry Randhawa said the project is an alternate approach to cultural awareness.
"It's really about bringing our staff up to speed with their cultural awareness training but also their practice," he said.
"What I am aware of is that just because someone someone has done their training it does not make them culturally appropriate.
"Like any training you've got to put it into practice in your everyday life.
"We have said we want to do the training in three ways; in a classroom set up, on country travelling to culturally historical sites in Northam and then an interactive style with role playing situations that you might be in."
Dr Randhawa said the project will also financially benefit the region.
"We have generally used Aboriginal staffers who have been in our team facilitate that training, but now we will be able to work with the Bilya Koort Boodja which helps the Shire and the centre as well as us," he said.
"It's absolutely crucial to be professional in all of your interactions with clients and part of that professionalism pays attention to cultural factors.
"If you can create a really good interaction between the client and the practitioner I think you are going to get more out of the client, they are going to feel more comfortable telling you their situations."
The Wheatbelt Health Network has an Aboriginal clientele of around 10 per cent.
The funding announcement coincides with the Shire of Northam council approving rates for cultural awareness training at the centre during a February meeting.
The Bilya Koort Boodja centre will offer training for $250-$500 per person which covers catering, stationary and staff costs.
