The Central Australia Health Service (CAHS) is launching the Acute Care Services Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) June 2019-June 2021 today.
The RAP is an acknowledgement of the Acute Care Services’ role in working towards reconciliation and focuses on building and encouraging positive relationships between CAHS, as the key acute care health provider in the region, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations that we serve.
“This is the first RAP to be developed by an NT Health jurisdiction,” said Sue Korner, CAHS Chief Operating Officer.
“It meets the CAHS vision to achieve better health outcomes for all Central Australians and has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.”
Development of the RAP was led by the Acute Care Services’ Aboriginal Cultural Engagement Committee and it both aligns with and supports a suite of other key health documents, including the NT Health Cultural Security Policy and Framework and the NT Aboriginal Health Plan.
“CAHS Acute Care Services is dedicated to advancing reconciliation and building an inclusive and diverse workplace that reflects its community,” said Naomi Heinrich, General Manager of CAHS Acute Care Services.
“We continue to make our services more accessible and culturally appropriate for Aboriginal communities and people to improve health outcomes and wellbeing, and be inclusive and welcoming by acknowledging Aboriginal people’s contribution and knowledge.
“By making culture visible in our physical environments and our staff culturally aware, we aim to bring Aboriginal people and healthcare providers together on the journey of reconciliation,” Ms Heinrich said.
A painting titled Reconciliation in the Health System was created for the RAP by former Alice Springs Hospital Aboriginal Liaison Officer Laati Napurrula Burns. This painting will be hung in the hospital foyer as a reminder to everyone who enters the building that we are committed to reconciliation.
The launch will be conducted in the garden area adjacent to the Alice Springs Hospital kiosk at 2:30pm today.
Media Contact: Gail Turner - 0476 839 383