Each iwi will do things a little differently so it is best to look at your local clinical guidelines to see what is recommended in your DHB, but there will be some common things you can do to show respect:
- Have a kōrero (talk) with your Māori Health liaison person – develop a connection with them.
- If your DHB doesn’t have a tikanga document then discuss with your Māori Heatlh unit about developing one.
- Ensure you ask permission before touching a person’s head – we should always explain what we are doing, and why we need to do it but for Māori this is particularly important for the head as it is considered the most tapu, or sacred part of the body. Your tikanga guidelines will explain the details of why.
- For many DHBs blue pillowcases and cloths are used specifically for the head. Get some blue pillow cases and facecloths if you don’t already have them in your department. Ensure there is a supply in all the places linen is stored, and that all staff members understand how and when to use the different colours of linen.
- Ensure when a person (especially Māori) dies, that correct processes are followed regarding blessings, karakia, access to water for handwashing. For instance, understand that it is critical that te tūpāpaku/the deceased is never left alone and accommodate this requirement respectfully. Again, engage with your Māori liaison to find out more.
- Attend courses and workshops provided by your DHB that aim to promote understanding of Te Ao Māori (Māori world view) and tikanga, and improve communication with Māori patients. You can also encourage other members of your ED team to attend these.
- Contact your Māori liaison team for help whenever you are having difficulty with specifc health or cultural issues with a Māori patient or whānau.
- Discourage people sitting on tables or work benches and explain that it is considered rude and unhygienic to Māori patients and staff.
- Pop some stickers on the food/drinks tables to remind staff and patients to keep things like bodily fluids off the tables.
The top sticker above has been in place for about eight months – will probably need replacing at about the the one year mark as it is fading with repeated cleaning.
www.bbsigns.co.nz / [email protected]
The price (as at November 2019) is NZ$336.80 + GST for 25 stickers, or $553.60 + GST for 50 stickers.
All links and materials uploaded are either in the public domain, or Manaaaki Mana Rōpū has received special permission to use them indefinitely. In all instances where copyright applies, permission was granted.