Values, vision and time to yarn – what sets IUIH GPs apart

“Culturally safe healthcare is the same as good healthcare. It requires really listening to your patients and letting them be the drivers of their own health decisions.”

For Dr Erin Waters – Clinical Director at IUIH, and a practicing GP at the Pamela Mam Health Centre – culturally safe care is patient-led, relationship-centric and intentionally unrushed. Echoing our values of respect, relationships and self-determination, the approach means IUIH GPs are uniquely able to build authentic and rewarding connections with patients.

“Our GPs offer 30-minute appointments, rather than the standard 5 or 10,” says Erin. “You can spend the time you really need with patients, and be a part of a broader holistic team of health and wellbeing workers, social support workers, nurses, palliative health and non-GP medical specialists, plus all of the essential support services.”

Having started her career as a fresh-faced Resident Medical Officer back in 2004, Erin has seen the healthcare landscape shift over the last twenty years – not least in the way culturally safe models of care are now a cornerstone of healthcare education.

“I can’t remember ever being taught about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and care in medical school,” recalls Erin, “and now it’s embedded in the curriculum. I do, however, have vivid memories of cultural awareness training I undertook during my vocational GP training. I was taught by Aunty Mary Martin, and I recently had the incredible experience of catching up with her again as she’s our Elder-in-residence here at IUIH. Aunty Mary is a trailblazer in educating health professionals in cultural awareness, so reconnecting with her here at IUIH has been very special.”

A centre of excellence and innovation

With a background in general practice and healthcare education, as well as time spent as Director of Medical Services at Townsville and Torres Strait Islander Health Service, Erin has experience in many diverse areas of healthcare. So what drew her to IUIH? For Erin, it was the combination of culture, innovation and a commitment to excellence.

“I’d worked with IUIH in a previous role, so I was aware of the great services and training environment they provided, as well as the really nice people that worked there,” says Erin. “And I also knew of IUIH’s exceptional reputation of taking the sector forward – it’s well recognised within community controlled health as being a centre of excellence and innovation.”

As a newcomer to IUIH, Erin has been impressed by the sophisticated embedding of a cultural framework, as well as the ongoing support for professional development. For her, the move to IUIH has been one that unites her medical experience with her commitment to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

“I’m inspired by [IUIH founder] Aunty Pamela Mam’s words that ‘nothing is to stop and everything must continue’,” says Erin. “As Clinical Director at IUIH, I’m keen to strengthen and build capacity in our health services and work on improving timely access to care, so more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can see trusted health workers in their local communities when they need to. We’ll do this by ensuring our health services are great places to work, so we attract the best people to empower our patients to determine their own health and wellbeing within stronger and connected communities.”

With that in mind, what would she say to a GP thinking about joining IUIH?

“I’d advise anyone who’s considering a career at IUIH to do it – you’ll love it,” says Erin. “IUIH is like no other setting. It’s like coming to work with your family and friends who all celebrate diversity, share the same values and want to deliver excellent care for our patients.”

For all current vacancies, including GP and other healthcare roles, visit our jobs board.