RVTS acknowledges its responsibility to contribute to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians which includes our ongoing commitment to the Closing the Gap strategy.
This Innovate RAP builds upon our first Innovate RAP which ran from 2018-2021 and recognises that active participation in the RAP program has enabled RVTS to more effectively recruit, retain, and train doctors to meet the needs of rural, remote and First Nations communities.
RVTS is committed to implementing this vision by providing a General Practice and Rural Generalist Training Program that is rich in the knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and our shared history.
Our RAP journey
RVTS acknowledges its responsibility to contribute to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians which includes our ongoing commitment to the Closing the Gap strategy.
This Innovate RAP builds upon our first Innovate RAP which ran from 2018-2021. The Innovate RAP was extended beyond the normal 2-year limit due to pandemic restrictions which required the reconfiguration of many RVTS operations.
RVTS recognises that active participation in the RAP program has enabled RVTS to more effectively recruit, retain, and train doctors to meet the needs of rural, remote and First Nations communities. Our first Innovate RAP was the starting point in formalising our reconciliation journey by strengthening relationships and providing greater opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, businesses, and organisations via 64 action items that signposted our reconciliation journey. The significant milestones from this journey are highlighted on the adjacent page.
1. Expansion of Cultural Education to all RVTS Doctors
Since inception, Cultural Awareness and Education have always been included in the curriculum delivered to RVTS doctors. However, a large amount our Cultural Education and Training had focussed on doctors working directly in the ACCHS sector.
The RAP prompted us to recognise that all RVTS doctors require a high level of expertise and education of First Nations cultures to address patient needs, regardless of their location to augment the delivery of primary care services.
An outcome of our Innovate RAP was the development of blended Cultural Education and Mentoring program for RVTS doctors not employed in the ACCHSs sector. This new program also includes the integration of regular webinars and workshops into the educational curriculum, as well as the allocation of a Cultural Educator to each RVTS registrar.
2. Development of a Lead Cultural Educator position
To strengthen Cultural Education across the Training Program, RVTS created a Lead Cultural Educator position who works with our Medical Educators and program administrators to develop, integrate, and evaluate all Cultural Education and Mentoring activities within the broader educational program and curriculum.
The Lead Cultural Educator also provides advice to RVTS management around policies, procedures and publications related to Cultural Education and Mentoring, and is a valued source of education and support for all RVTS staff.
3. Cultural Insights at weekly staff meetings
Every Monday morning the RVTS administration staff have a weekly catch up to discuss plans and activities for the week ahead. A component of the Innovate RAP was for a different staff member to each week present a short 5-minute researched item on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.
Since 2018 we have covered a vast array of topics around language, history, art, politics, and the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the past and into the present day. Resources from these presentations are now being collated as part of this new Innovate RAP with the exercise now extended to our monthly Medical Educator meetings. Although very simple in design, this has been a highly effective way for RVTS staff to learn and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations peoples and cultures.
4. The Indigenous Health and Training Reference Group
RVTS established the Indigenous Health Training Reference Group to improve the opportunities for RVTS training in and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Reference Group meets quarterly and includes representation from the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHSs), the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) and the RVTS Board.
RVTS RAP Working Group
The RVTS RAP Working Group oversees the development and implementation of the RVTS Reconciliation Action Plan. RVTS has developed Terms of Reference for the RAP Working Group to formally recognise and integrate the Working Group decisions and processes into the broader RVTS management structure.
The RAP Working Group meets four times a year and reports to RVTS Management. The meetings are guided by the RVTS’ Reconciliation Action Plan and feedback from Reconciliation Australia.
Membership includes:
- Operations Manager (chair)
- Lead Cultural Educator*
- Medical Educator representative**
- Staff representative
- Training Support Manager
- Strategic Development Manager
*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative
**The following positions will be rotated on an annual basis to provide opportunity for broad staff engagement in the RAP.
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Marlene is the RVTS Lead Cultural Educator and has held previous positions as the Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Adviser to the Department of Health, and was Head of the Indigenous Health Unit, Department of Rural and Indigenous Health at Monash University.
Marlene received her PhD on ‘Aboriginal Women and Reconciliation in Australia: Communication Strategies and Symbolism’. Her research interests include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Child and Maternal Health, and Reconciliation.
Marlene’s career has been devoted to working for her people. Marlene was Chief Investigator for a National project titled ‘Footprints Forwards – Better strategies for the recruitment, retention, and support of Indigenous medical students,’ and she is the current chair of the National Cultural Educators and Cultural Mentors Network.
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David grew up in Far North Queensland and saw first-hand the challenges of reconciliation action. During his Medical School days, he was fortunate to undertake placements in remote First Nations Communities that shaped his desire to use his skills in the service of Indigenous Australians. He then spent his formative medical years working at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
David was the Lead Medical Educator for the RVTS AMS Stream and is currently the RVTS Deputy Director of Training. He provides leadership to ensure the RVTS RAP is fully integrated into the Education Plan and implemented across all levels of the organisation.
Stakeholder management
RVTS delivers GP and Rural Generalist training in accordance with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) curricula and incorporates all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health into the RVTS Educational Plan including workshops, webinars, and online study modules.
RVTS convened the RVTS Indigenous Health Training Reference Group, with representation from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector and Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) to advise the RVTS Board on opportunities to develop, revise and implement policies and strategies to enhance RVTS training in Aboriginal Medical Services. The Reference Group has also provided external advice to RVTS on the development of this RAP.
Recognising the challenges of First Nations people has enriched the RVTS Training Program, deepening the organisation’s understanding of true reconciliation. The RAP has been a catalyst to providing Cultural Mentors to all doctors training in ACCHSs and to extending Cultural Education to all RVTS registrars. Our Cultural Educators and Mentors, along with RVTS Management and Staff, have also provided expertise, input and feedback on the activities contained in the RAP.
Closing the gap
Closing the Gap began in response to a call for governments to commit to achieving equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health and life expectancy within a generation. It is a story of a collective journey, a shared commitment to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live healthy and prosperous lives.
In 2007 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) resolved to implement strategies to close key gaps in life expectancy, halve the gap in mortality rates for children and halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the decade.
The 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap* incorporated new Priority Reform Areas to strengthen partnerships between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These new Priority Reform Areas have been utilised as a guide in the development the RVTS Innovate RAP.
| Priority Reform Area | New RVTS Innovate RAP Activities |
|---|---|
| 1. Strengthen and establish formal partnerships and shared decision-making. |
Item 3 - RVTS to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations through attendance at the annual NACCHO
and AIDA conferences and National Cultural Educators and Mentor Forum. Item 4 - Establish and maintain formal Practice Agreements with all Aboriginal Medical Services that employ RVTS doctors. Item 5 - Maintain representation from the ACCHSs Sector and AIDA at the RVTS Indigenous Health Training Reference Group quarterly meetings. |
| 2. Build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector. |
Item 37 - All RVTS registrars working in ACCHS or in a community with a high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population to have a local Cultural Mentor appointed for their first 2 years of training. Item 66 - Utilise the RVTS Targeted Recruitment strategy to actively recruit doctors to remote Aboriginal Medical Services with the highest medical workforce need. Item 67 - Develop marketing materials to promote the RVTS AMS Stream to prospective doctors. |
| 3. Transform government organisations so they work better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
Item 54 - Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to consult on the effectiveness of our
recruitment, retention, and professional development strategy. Item 58 - Provide an opportunity for Cultural Educators and Mentors to connect face-to-face at least once per year at the RVTS Workshops as well as two video conference meetings. Item 64 - Implement a system for early identification of learning needs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait registrars. Item 65 - Develop mentoring and peer support initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars. |
Reconciliation timeline 2024
2000
- Establishment of RVTS with representation from Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Cooperative on initial steering committees
- Adoption of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Aboriginal Health Training Module as part of syllabus
2007
- First Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrar accepted under the program
2010
- First Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate from the program
2011
- Implementation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Teaching Plan
2012
- Initial consultation with National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Department of Health (DoH) to provide General Practice and Rural Generalist Training into ACCHS
2013
- First Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Director appointed to RVTS Board
2014
- Establishment of Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) stream.
- Reference Group with representation from NACCHO and the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA)
- First GP registrars commence in the RVTS AMS Stream
- Appointment of first Cultural Mentors for GP registrars
2015
- Invitation and inclusion of Cultural Mentors at RVTS Training Workshops
- Appointment RVTS Cultural Mentor Liaison Officer
2018
- Launch of the First RVTS Innovate RAP
2020
- Establishment of the RVTS Lead Cultural Educator position
2021
- Blended Cultural Education and Mentoring program delivered to all RVTS registrars
2024
- Launch of the Second RVTS Innovate Rap
