Amputation Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Helpful information and resources created by mob for mob, to support patients and their families to navigate the amputation journey, including:

• Act Fast: making empowered decisions
• Recover Strong: amputation and recovery
• Live Well: life and community after amputation

Co-created by South Australian Aboriginal community members with lived experience of amputation, in partnership with the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Unit at SAHMRI. This work was funded by the Australian Government.

Act Fast: Making Empowered Decisions

• Critical questions to ask
  • Understanding your individual amputation needs
  • Reviewing pros/cons and impacts to help you to make an informed decision
  • Self-advocacy for your rights within the hospital system
  • Knowing what supports are available and where you can go for clinical and mental health support
• Planning for amputation
  • A list of things to consider before your hospital stay
  • What an amputation means and what it may look like
  • Knowing what your life may look like when you return home

Recover Strong: amputation and recovery

• Amputation journey
  • What to expect
  • What your clinical team may look like and what their roles are
  • Self-advocacy if you need more time to make a decision
  • What your rehabilitation may look like
  • Information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific services for you and your family

Live Well: life after amputation

• Returning home
  • Planning for your return home
  • What your life may look like after surgery, at home, at work or at school
• Family support
  • Information and resources for family members about nursing
  • Specific services available for carers and family members

Download all 4 of our PDF information sheets

We recognise First Nations peoples’ cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional connection with their land. We honour and pay our respects to First Nations Elders, both past and present.