15 RAP - Reconciliation Australia

HUME MEDICARE LOCAL
REFLECT RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
2014 -2015
Artwork from Making Two Worlds Work Resource Kit
About the Reflect RAP
The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is about
organisations from every sector turning good
intentions into real actions and rising to the
challenge of reconciling Australia. A RAP is a
business plan that uses a holistic approach
to create meaningful relationships, enhance
respect and promote sustainable opportunities
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Australians.
The RAP program includes four types of
RAPs, each offering a different level of
engagement and support. In developing a
Reflect RAP, Hume Medicare Local commits to
completing the following actions over the next
Program Manager Aboriginal Health (HML), Robyn Marven (L)
12 months to ensure we are well positioned
Aboriginal Partnerships and Planning Officer (DHS) Liz Heta (R)
to implement effective and mutually beneficial
initiatives as part of future Reconciliation
Action Plans. Our future RAPs will identify relationships, respect and opportunities actions specific to our
business and our sphere of influence.
This Reflect Rap will allow Hume Medicare Local to focus on building relationships both internally and
externally, and raise awareness with our stakeholders to ensure there is shared and understanding and
ownership of our RAP within our organisation. Development of our future RAPs will involve consultation
with staff across our organisation including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and/or stakeholders to
achieve our vision for reconciliation.
A message from the CEO
HML believes that all Australians should have the opportunity for a better future. However the fact remains
that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ burden continues to be prevalent in Australia today.
In presenting HML’s RAP for 2014 we are undertaking to continue our contribution to issues facing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now and into the future.
This year’s Reflect plan aims to form the foundation in order to build on the significant gains we have made
while also looking to the future and exploring new opportunities that will improve the health of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our business
Hume Medicare Local (HML) is a Commonwealth funded, evidence based organisation that is about local
people working together to create local solutions to our area’s biggest health problems. Hume Medicare
Local focuses on the needs and priorities of each person by supporting the health professionals involved in
their care, and improving access to and quality of services.
Hume Medicare Local uses an evidence based planning model to identify local service gaps, and aims to
prioritise and reduce those gaps through planning, advocacy and innovation.
Hume Medicare Local has 51
employees, with one person identifying
as being of Aboriginal descent. Hume
Medicare Local has set as a priority, the
production of an Aboriginal Employment
strategy within this Reflect RAP Hume
Medicare Local works with a broad
range of health care services within
the region and aims to ensure local
communities receive the right care
in the right place at the right time,
making it easier for the community and
health care providers to navigate the
local health care system. Our goals
incorporate the aim to provide more
connected care, closing any gaps and
making it easier for our communities
to get the treatment and services they
need. In addition, HML supports local
primary health care providers to assist
in the provision of services that meet the
needs and priorities of patients and the
community.
Aboriginal Outreach Officer (HML), Lyn Bell
To achieve better access and quality of services we are:
•
linking local doctors, nursing and other health professionals, hospitals and aged care, Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health organisations
•
working closely with local hospitals to make sure that primary health care services and hospitals work
well together
•
Identifying where local communities are missing out on services they might need and supporting the
coordination of services to fill those gaps where possible.
Hume Medicare Local is committed to supporting all primary health care services in their endeavours to
provide high quality, integrated care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our Aboriginal Health Program provides a range of services, including:
•
•
Practice visits
Cultural Education
•
•
•
•
•
•
Workshops with a focus on creating Cultural Safety
Support through email, telephone and this website
Supporting General Practice with self-Identification process
Supporting GPs and General Practice staff access to Cultural Education Training
Information and resources regarding local activities
Provision of support from outreach officer to assist mainstream practices with Aboriginal patients that
require additional care or information.
Hume Medicare Local services an area that includes the NSW Southern Riverina, North East Victoria, the
Upper Murray and parts of the Victorian High Country. Hume Medicare Local staff travel across the area
to work with the health professionals and communities of Jerilderie, Urana, Finley, Berrigan, Tocumwal,
Corowa, Henty, Culcairn, Holbrook, Albury, Wodonga, Beechworth, Tallangatta, Corryong, Mount Beauty,
Bright, Myrtleford, Wangaratta, Benalla and Mansfield.
Our head office is in Albury, NSW and we have another office in Benalla, Vic.
Our RAP
The impetus for the Hume Medicare Local developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was based on
heightened awareness of the imbalance in all aspects of the social determinants of health. The statistical
data that has been collected not only within the HML boundary but across Australia provides evidence that
more work is required to close the gap particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
To this end the HML has been developing initiatives that support reconciliation prior to embarking on the
development of this Reflect RAP. These include the instigation of the Black Border Theatre project, the
writing of “Dhurany” an Aboriginal newspaper insert that reaches over 40000 households in the region.
Currently HML utilises Aboriginal catering business when available particularly for Cultural Training
sessions.
Our ambition is to contribute to closing the gap and developing positive and sustainable change and we
are proud to see the progress that has been made. HML remains committed to addressing all the social
determinants of health whilst ensuring cultural safety.
The RAP is championed by committed individuals at every level of the organisation. Integral to the
development of the RAP were Liz Heta Board Member of the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service
and Aboriginal Partnerships and Planning Officer for the Victorian Department of Human Services, the
Board, CEO and Director of Clinical Services of Hume Medicare Local and dedicated support has been
received along the way from Aboriginal Elders of the local community. HML has an Aboriginal Cultural
Advisor who mentors members of the HML staff ensuring culturally safe education is implemented.
Working group members:
Robyn Marven – Program Manager Aboriginal Health
Lyn Bell - Hume Medicare Local Aboriginal Outreach Officer
Zoe Gephart –Immunisation Project Officer HML
Dean Valente – Program Manager Afterhours GP Program
Liz Heta – Aboriginal Partnerships and Planning Officer DHS
Robin Haberecht – Director Clinical Services HML
Our partnerships
Hume Medicare Local has developed over time a range of partnerships with both Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander controlled agencies and mainstream agencies. A key partnership is the participation with
key primary health providers via the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Reference Group (AWAHRG). This
group is comprised of CEO’s from Albury Wodonga Health, Gateway Health (incorporating Ovens and King
Community Health) Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation, Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service and
Murrumbidgee Local Health District. This group meets regularly and formulates strategic health plans that
focus on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in the region.
The AWAHRG is an important group considering the strength of the membership. Not only are
CEO’s represented but each organisation has an Aboriginal representative who attends to ensure that
conversations and consultation with Aboriginal community members are integral to decision making.
It is through the group that activities and approaches are devised to increase awareness and understanding
of relevant issues relating to equity and access and review the impact of activities and approaches used
to improve the capacity of mainstream primary care to deliver culturally sensitive services for Aboriginal
community members.
1. Relationships
Hume Medicare Local believes that strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
and communities are imperative to make meaningful changes to the health system that will meet the needs
of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable target
1.1 Establish a
RAP Working
Group
HML Aboriginal Health
Program
August 2015
1.2 Develop
external
relationships
with Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait Islander
organisations
Aboriginal Outreach Officer
September 2014
1.3 Encourage
and provide the
opportunity for all
HML employees
to celebrate
National
Reconciliation
Week
1.4 Raise internal
awareness of
the RAP and the
importance of
reconciliation
Board
Director Primary Health
Services
Program Manager Aboriginal
Health
Aboriginal Outreach Officer
27 May - 3 June
2015
Hume Medicare Local will
establish a RAP Working
Group to support the
development of our RAP
comprising of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
peoples and other
Australians.
Develop a list of Aboriginal
organisations and
stakeholders within our local
area that could assist with
understanding the potential
activities and programs that
could be developed for future
RAPs.
Staff and members of HML’s
RAP working group to
attend an NRW event and/or
acknowledge NRW through
RAP communications plan.
Director Clinical Services
Program Manager
RAP Working Group
Communications Manager
September 2014
Develop and implement a
communication plan to raise
awareness of Hume
Medicare Local RAP and
reconciliation generally across
the organisation.
Provide a presentation on
HML’s RAP commitment to all
areas of business to ensure
that all employees have an
understanding of how their
area can contribute to the RAP.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Health definitions
Cultural awareness is: “An understanding of how a person’s culture may inform their values, behaviours, beliefs and
basic assumptions…(it) recognises that we are all shaped by our cultural background, which influences how we
interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people”.
Cultural Safety is ‘An outcome of health practice and education that enables safe service to be defined by those who
receive the service’. Strategies aim to create an environment that is safe for people: “where there is no assault,
challenge or denial of their identity, of who they are and what they need”, where there is “shared respect, shared
meaning, shared knowledge and experience, of learning, living and working together with dignity and truly listening”.
2. Respect
Hume Medicare Local will increase knowledge, understanding and appreciation of
Australia’s First Peoples. Hume Medicare Local believes that by lifting the veil of ignorance and raising
awareness of the social inequities that have oppressed the First People of this nation, a greater respect for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can be facilitated.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable target
2.1 Investigate
and Iimplement
cultural
development
within Hume
Medicare Local
Working Group
Manager Human Resources –
Learning and
Development Plan
November
2014
Scope and develop a
cultural awareness training
strategy for HML.
September
2014
Through the HML induction
process, ensure all new staff
completes the online modules on
Reconciliation Australia’s ‘share our
pride’ website. (www.shareourpride.
com.au).
May 2015
Capture baseline data on HML
employees current level of
knowledge and understanding
around Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures, histories and
contributions.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
2.2 Provide
the opportunity
for Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait Islander
employees and
other employees
to celebrate
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Islander cultures,
histories and
achievements
through
participating in
NAIDOC week.
2.3 Raise internal
understanding
of Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait Islander
protocols.
HML Program Managers and
staff
1st Sunday to HML RAP Working Group and staff
2nd Sunday
to participate in local NAIDOC week
2015
events.
2.4 Build
capacity of
mainstream
primary health
care services to
meet the needs
of the
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Islander
communities.
Measurable target
Continue to support NAIDOC awards
via Latrobe University.
Program Manager
Aboriginal Health
Communications Manager
Director Primary Services
Director Clinical Services
Program Manager
Aboriginal Health
October 2014 Scope, develop and implement a
RAP communication plan to raise
awareness and understanding of
the meaning and significance of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
protocols such as
Welcome to Country and
Acknowledgement of Country
protocols.
August 2014,
September
2014,
February
2015, April
2015, June
2015
The RAP Communication Plan will
include links to all HML Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Policy
documents.
Provide cultural safety training to
service providers through the
delivery of RACGP accredited
training program to GP’s and
Practice Staff. Aboriginal trainer
endorsed by Aboriginal Reference
Group to facilitate program.
Support General Practices to deliver
culturally safe and appropriate
services to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples through the
provision of information, education
and advice relating to local Aboriginal
cultural mores.
3. Opportunities
Hume Medicare Local recognises the rich cultural inheritance, beliefs, values, spirituality and
connection to the land of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hume Medicare Local believes it
is this rich cultural heritage which will provide a foundation to develop a flexible, diverse range of health
services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable target
3.1 Investigate
opportunities
within Hume
Medicare
Local to
increase
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Islander
employment
opportunities.
3.2 Consider
supplier
diversity within
HML.
Program Manager
Aboriginal Health
December 2014
Scope, develop and
implement an Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
Employment Strategy.
Program Manager Aboriginal
Health
November 2014
Investigate the opportunity
to capture baseline data of
current Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander employees
within HML to inform future
developments.
Scope and develop a
broader business case for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander supplier diversity.
4. Tracking progress and reporting
Action
Responsibility
4.1 Build support Director of Corporate
for the RAP
Services
Program Manager Aboriginal
Health
Timeline
Measurable target
August 2014
Investigate and define
available resourcing for HML
RAP.
July 2015
Submit HML RAP progress
and achievements through
the RAP Impact Measurement
Questionnaire to Reconciliation
Australia annually.
November 2014
HML RAP Working group
to report RAP progress and
achievements to HML
Executive and Board,
Albury Wodonga Aboriginal
Health Reference Group
(AWAHRG), and the
Commonwealth Department of
Health.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable target
June 2015
Evaluation of this RAP will be
undertaken in consultation with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander community members
and local Aboriginal elders.
June 2015
Staff feedback and learnings
will be implemented with a quiz
in consultation with Aboriginal
Elders as a part of HML’s
training evaluation process.
June 2015
Provide feedback of evaluation
outcomes to all stakeholders
via internal communication
networks and face to face
engagement with Elders.
June 2015
Develop a second RAP based
on feedback, challenges
and learnings from previous
RAP and improved level of
organisational understanding of
reconciliation.
June 2015
Submit draft RAP to
Reconciliation Australia
for review and formal
endorsement.
Program Manager, RAP Working
Group
November 2015
In consultation with internal
and external stakeholders,
scope and develop a paper
that considers HML core
business and sphere of
influence, outlining other future
RAP opportunities for HML
Program Manager
July 2015
Complete and submit
questionnaire to Reconciliation
Australia.
4.2 Collate
RAP Working Group,, HML Staff,
Feedback and
Board, Executive
evaluation of the
RAP and prepare
and refresh a
new RAP for
HML.
4.3 RAP Impact
Measurement
Questionnaire
Wiradjuri Elder Nancy Rooke speaking on Sorry Day 2014.
Notes:
For further enquiries please contact:
Robyn Marven, Program Manager Aboriginal Health
e: [email protected]
t: 02 6041 0010
w: humeml.org.au
594 Hovell Street Albury NSW 2640
Medicare Locals gratefully acknowledge the financial and other support from the Australian Department of Health.

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