The RACGP Reconciliation Plan 2020-2022

Respect

Our goal is to promote and celebrate the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, values and histories in a manner that respectfully connects our staff and membership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other non-Indigenous people, doctors and non-doctors can all work together with the same goal, respect each other and do good work.

The RACGP believes it is important to respect and understand how colonialism has impacted the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and continues to have impact today. We will respect and acknowledge cultural and significant days and mark these to help our staff and members understand how the past is still having effect today.

Focus area: Strengths and resilience

Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning

Deliverable

Evaluate and review cultural awareness training within the RACGP

Timeline

March 2021

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor

Deliverable

Consult local Traditional Owners and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisors on the development and implementation of a cultural learning strategy.

Timeline

March 2021

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

Develop cultural awareness education and cultural safety training.

Timeline

March 2021

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

Deploy cultural awareness education and cultural safety training.

Timeline

July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

Evaluate and review cultural awareness education and cultural safety training.

Timeline

June 2022

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

In each office, access cultural learning activities in collaboration with local Traditional Owners and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisors.

Timeline

December 2020

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Head of Faculties
Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

Provide opportunities for all staff to participate in formal and structured cultural learning.

Timeline

July 2021

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

Develop, implement and communicate a cultural learning strategy for staff

Timeline

July 2021

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

Review and continue to build on the cultural awareness education and cultural safety training program as part of our continuing professional development, with a focus not only on Aboriginal but also Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

Timeline

June 2022

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
General Counsel
Learning and Development Lead

Deliverable

All staff, Board members and Executive Leadership Team to participate in online cultural awareness training, beginning with when staff join the organisation.

Timeline

June 2021

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: Senior RAP Advisor
Learning and Development Lead

6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols

Deliverable

Increase staff understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country.

Timeline

December 2020
Review
July 2021, July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: Senior RAP Advisor
Support: CEO
Executive Leadership Team

Deliverable

Encourage staff to start all meetings with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Timeline

December 2020

Responsibility

Lead: CEO
Executive Leadership Team

Deliverable

Develop, implement and communicate a cultural protocol document, including protocols for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country.

Timeline

Review
December 2020, December 2021

Responsibility

Lead: Senior RAP Advisor
Support: RAP Working Group

Deliverable

Review wording of the email auto-signature text to include appropriate statement regarding respect for Country, and incorporate that same statement into our eDM template.

Timeline

October 2020

Responsibility

Lead: Marketing Coordinator, Strategic Marketing & Communications

7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week

Deliverable

All staff to participate in an RACGP-organised internal NAIDOC Week event.

Timeline

November 2020, first week in July 2021 and July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: National Manager, Media & Communications
Support: CEO
Executive Leadership Team

Deliverable

Review Human Resources policies and procedures to identify and remove any barriers that may exist to staff participating in NAIDOC Week

Timeline

November 2020, first week in July 2021 and July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: General Manager, Human Resources
Support: CEO, Executive Leadership Team

Deliverable

Encourage leaders to lead by example in participating in NAIDOC Week

Timeline

November 2020, first week in July 2021 and July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: General Counsel

Deliverable

Promote and encourage all staff and members to participate in external NAIDOC events

Timeline

November 2020, first week in July 2021 and July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: National Manager, Media & Communications

Deliverable

RAP Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event

Timeline

November 2020, first week in July 2021 and July 2022

Responsibility

Lead: Head of Events and Experience, National Manager
Support: Senior RAP Advisor, RAP Working Group

8. Build understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health gaps

Deliverable

As a health-based organisation, ensure each year we mark the Close the Gap campaign with appropriate event/s that promote the message that there is no room for racism in healthcare.

Timeline

March 2021,
March 2022

Responsibility

Lead: Manager, National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Support: Head of Faculties

Deliverable

Support the state and territory faculties to hold Close the Gap events.

Timeline

March 2021, March 2022

Responsibility

Lead: Manager, National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Support: Head of Faculties

9. Build respect with staff and across membership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories

Deliverable

Consult a Cultural Narrative Architectural Design Specialist, Greenaway Architects (Jefa Greenaway), to incorporate First Nations design principles into the refurbishment of the National Office

Timeline

June 2021

Responsibility

Lead: Senior RAP Advisor
Support: Facilities Manager, General Manager, Finance

Deliverable

Show a public commitment to the RAP through our front window decal artwork. Artworks displayed in offices should reflect the Traditional Owners of the land where the building stands.

Timeline

October 2020

Responsibility

Lead: Marketing Coordinator, Strategic Marketing & Communications

Deliverable

Negotiate visual representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in imagery used across the RACGP (not just content related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health).

Timeline

August 2021

Responsibility

Lead: Marketing Coordinator, Strategic Marketing & Communications
Support: National Manager, Media & Communications
Senior RAP Advisor

Deliverable

Ensure images and information about the National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health are permanently featured on the RACGP home page.

Timeline

August 2021

Responsibility

Lead: Marketing Coordinator, Strategic Marketing & Communications

Deliverable

Highlight and build awareness of the RACGP’s ceremonial Fellowship gowns and sashes (available only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellows).

Timeline

November 2020

Responsibility

Lead: Manager, National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Support: Manager, Assessment Development
RACGP-led Training Coordinator
Head, Events & Experience
Head of Faculties

10. Promote days and dates of cultural significance

Deliverable

Develop and share a calendar of external events and dates of significance to staff and members.

Timeline

January 2021, January 2022

Responsibility

Lead: National Manager, Media & Communications

11. Engage members in cultural awareness and safety training

Deliverable

Conduct cultural awareness communication activities within member-based events.

Timeline

December 2021

Responsibility

Lead: Head, Events & Experience
Support: National Manager, Media & Communications
RACGP-led Training Coordinator

Deliverable

Facilitate experts to run workshops for members at large events, such as the annual national conference, that help create culturally safe work environments.

Timeline

December 2021

Responsibility

Lead: Head, Events & Experience

Deliverable

Use newsGP, the RACGP’s news hub, to communicate at least six articles on raising awareness of unconscious bias and culturally safe healthcare.

Timeline

December 2021

Responsibility

Lead: National Manager, Media & Communications
Support: National Manager, Policy & Advocacy
Senior RAP Advisor