The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged all levels of Australian Government to recommit to closing the gap by genuinely working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to achieve equality in health outcomes.
The RACGP connected with Aboriginal leaders today, supporting their message to Governments: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the solutions needed to Close the Gap.
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said the organisation was an active member of the Close the Gap Steering Committee, proudly committed to ending the health gap by 2030.
“The RACGP recognises the importance of supporting our members to be great doctors for all Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Dr Seidel said.
“We are committed to developing culturally safe GPs and practice staff so that they are able to work effectively in the cross-cultural context and in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. “
Dr Seidel said that given the findings in the Close the Gap - Progress and Priorities report 2017 (authored by the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee), it is now more important than ever that Australian GPs strive to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to achieve better health outcomes.
“We understand the importance of Aboriginal leaders in health, so growing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP workforce is one of our strategic priorities,” Dr Seidel said.
“We know that GPs who understand how to empower their patients to achieve better health outcomes are better doctors for all of us. By supporting our GPs to empower their patients we will move closer to closing the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.”
Dr Seidel said he was proud to see Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Associate Professor Peter O'Mara and RACGP Fellow Dr Raymond Blackman present at the RACGP’s national Close the Gap day event this year.
Associate Professor Peter O’Mara said the Close the Gap Campaign Report, released today, clearly shows that significant changes must occur if Australia is to close the gap by 2030.
“The Close the Gap - Progress and Priorities report 2017 reveals Australian governments at all levels are, in key respects, failing Australia’s First People,” Associate Professor O’Mara said.
“The RACGP urges the Government to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and their communities across Australia. The Government has been doing things to Aboriginal people without their input for too long.”
Associate Professor O’Mara said real progress will occur if the Government delivers on its promise to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are having courageous conversations with their own communities, and are achieving real action for change. A lot of healing can take place through a journey towards a desired outcome, if it’s done with mutual respect and understanding,” Associate Professor O’Mara said.