an image of two hands reaching out to each other with the words nonfictionary written on it
Understanding the Department of Health's Reconciliation Action Plan
The Department of Health's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a strategic document that outlines our commitment to achieving meaningful change for First Nations peoples. It's not just a plan; it's a promise to our communities, our staff, and our partners. This article delves into the intricacies of our RAP, its objectives, and the actions we're taking to create a health system that truly serves everyone.
Our RAP in Action
Our RAP is a living document, continually evolving to reflect the feedback and priorities of our communities. Here are some of the key actions we're taking:
- Cultural Safety and Respect: We're implementing cultural safety training for our staff to ensure our services are respectful and responsive to the needs of First Nations peoples.
- Increasing First Nations Representation: We're actively recruiting and supporting First Nations peoples to join our workforce, creating career pathways and mentoring programs.
- Community Engagement: We're working closely with First Nations communities to understand their health needs and co-design services that meet those needs.
- Data Collection and Reporting: We're improving our data collection to better understand the health outcomes of First Nations peoples and track our progress towards closing the gap.
Our Commitment to Reconciliation
Our RAP is underpinned by the principles of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We acknowledge the past and present injustices experienced by First Nations peoples and commit to working together to create a future where our health system is a leader in reconciliation. We're committed to closing the gap in health outcomes, ensuring our services are culturally safe, and increasing the representation of First Nations peoples in our workforce.
Our Journey Towards Reconciliation
Our RAP is just the beginning of our journey towards reconciliation. We acknowledge that we have a long way to go, and we're committed to learning, adapting, and improving as we go. We invite our communities, our staff, and our partners to join us on this journey. Together, we can create a health system that truly serves everyone.
Measuring Our Progress
Our RAP includes specific, measurable targets to ensure we're held accountable for our progress. Here's a snapshot of our targets and how we're tracking:
| Target | Baseline | Target Year | Current Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase the proportion of First Nations staff to 3% of our total workforce | 1.5% | 2025 | 2.1% (as at June 2022) |
| Reduce the gap in life expectancy between First Nations and non-First Nations peoples by 5 years | 10.6 years | 2031 | 0.5 years reduction (as at 2020) |
