Ruth Lopez Email and Phone Number

Lead the Cultural Diversity Unit in the development and support of policy, and promotion of practices, that build organisational cultural competency across the whole WA Health system. • Review and monitor legislation, cultural diversity policies, research, programs and practices and recommends action where necessary. Promoted a best-practice approach to the implementation of diversity and equity initiatives, policies and procedures across state-wide health services.• Maintain a high-level of awareness of current and emerging cultural diversity and health issues, trends and approaches through regular desktop research, consultation and information exchange with others in the State Government as a source of information.• Prepare submissions, discussion papers, reports, ministerial advice and responses to correspondence and parliamentary questions on cultural diversity and health issues, typically about language services provision within hospitals and associated costs.• Represent the Public and Aboriginal Health Division and the Department of Health on committees and working parties, including the WA Collaboration across Government (WACAN) Network to discuss multicultural issues (language services, substantive equality, data collection and use), across State Government and the Reference Group for the Public Sector Commission to develop a statewide CaLD employment strategy called 'Maximising the cultural dividend: Harnessing the multicultural strength.' • Manage the development and monitor the implementation of the WA Health Language Services Policy and guidelines, which provides for interpreting and translation services in all health service delivery units (hospitals and community health centres) to ensure that people who don’t speak much English are able to effectively communicate with our health professionals and vice versa.