BENDIGO Health has launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan, aimed at making a difference in service for First Nations patients.<\/p>\n
Manager of Aboriginal services Dave Kerr said the RAP could help develop a culturally sensitive approach to care for First Nations people within the organisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s ensuring they feel safe and comfortable to come here and identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and it\u2019s ensuring that we do things culturally appropriately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance\u2026 understanding the trauma that has gone on in hospitals over a long period of time, what that represents and how that flows on to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people today.\u201d<\/p>\n
A steering group was formed to develop the RAP involving Aboriginal staff, Aboriginal community members including Dja Dja Wurrung people and others, and Mr Kerr said the meaningful engagement was important.<\/p>\n
\u201cRAPs shouldn\u2019t be rushed, it\u2019s important that we listen and engage with Aboriginal community before we race ahead and create a RAP,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process that we\u2019ve gone through has been exhaustive and has gotten to the right result.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RAP is focused on innovation, with several actions surrounding relationships, respect, opportunities, and governance and tracking progress.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Health CEO Peter Faulkner said it could also help create employment opportunities within the organisation for Indigenous people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the biggest employer in the area, and we think we\u2019ve probably got the biggest responsibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Faulkner said the launch of the of the RAP was a significant milestone in the organisation\u2019s 160-year history and a chance to improve on service delivery.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur health service has not always done the best that we think we can for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and this is an opportunity for us to reboot, restart and really focus our attentions on providing a truly excellent service that is culturally sensitive and appropriate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO Health has launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan, aimed at making a difference in service for First Nations patients. Manager of Aboriginal services Dave Kerr said the RAP could help develop a culturally sensitive approach to care for First Nations people within the organisation. \u201cIt\u2019s ensuring they feel safe and comfortable to come here […]<\/p>\n