The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA), the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have united to make a stand for equity in healthcare.
We support St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Chief Executive Nicole Tweddle’s statement reaffirming the hospital’s commitment to prioritising triage for all First Nations patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).
St Vincent’s Hospital’s innovative policy and health strategy has successfully reduced the wait time gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients, with no adverse impact on the treatment of patients with serious or life-threatening conditions. This policy is evidence-based, drawing on data analysis showing Indigenous patients had on average three times longer ‘wait to be seen’ times and three times higher leave events than their non-Indigenous cohort.
Recent divisive and racist comments opposing this policy, particularly from doctors in positions of authority, are opportunistic, uninformed and deeply concerning. Such inflammatory rhetoric deliberately undermines efforts to create a culturally safe healthcare system and perpetuates the systemic racism that continues to harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dr Olivia O’Donoghue, AIDA Acting President, echoed the response from St Vincent’s Hospital, reiterating that the policy is not about preferential treatment, it is about creating equity.
“This policy is Closing the Gap in action and is a response to the well-documented disparities in health outcomes and access to timely care experienced by First Nations peoples.
“Any attitude to the contrary undermines the work being done to create a culturally safe hospital system that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive equitable access to excellent and safe healthcare.”
Emergency Specialist Dr Glenn Harrison, who is a proud Wotjobaluk man and ACEM Fellow, said: “This policy is about fairness, not favouritism. As Co-Chair of ACEM’s Indigenous Health Committee and former AIDA Board Director, I know how critical it is to address the systemic inequities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face in emergency care.
“The triage initiative is a practical, evidence-based measure that helps close the gap in access without disadvantaging anyone else. It’s a step toward a more just, equitable and culturally safe health system,” the AIDA member said.
We know that racism in healthcare is a key contributor to poorer health outcomes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a higher burden of disease and often present to emergency departments later due to a mistrust in the healthcare system.
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) President Dr Stephen Gourley said: “As a result of systemic disadvantage and experiencing barriers in accessing healthcare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to face poorer health outcomes across every measure.
“It’s clear that our current approaches haven’t delivered the change that’s needed. We must do more. This is about equity and improving outcomes, not disadvantaging anyone else. This innovation is exactly the kind of progress we should be celebrating.”
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) acknowledges that the ongoing impacts of colonisation continue to shape the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Upholding St Vincent’s Health Australia’s values of compassion, justice, integrity, and excellence, the RACP is committed to supporting vulnerable people.
Professor Jennifer Martin, President and Board Chair of RACP said, “We stand with St Vincent’s, we share their commitment, their values of compassion, justice, integrity and excellence, especially for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Our college teaches justice and equity, not racism, and we will not close our eyes, we will name this behaviour, we will call it out.
“We are united with AIDA and the ACEM to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable and those who need advocacy. For all our colleges’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellows and Trainees and their communities, I stand with you, the RACP stands with you.”
Our organisations remain committed to working collaboratively to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure that all Australians, regardless of background, receive the care they need, when they need it.
About us:
About AIDA
The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) is the peak professional body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and medical students. AIDA’s purpose is to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce, from students to specialists, through advocacy, leadership, and cultural mentorship. We also continue to work towards and advocate for a culturally safe Australian healthcare system, free from racism, and with accountability measures in place.
Our vision is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have self-determination and equitable health and life outcomes in a culturally safe health system.
About ACEM
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM; the College) is the not-for-profit organisation responsible for training emergency physicians and the advancement of professional standards in emergency medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our vision is to be the trusted authority for ensuring clinical, professional and training standards in the provision of quality, evidence-based, patient-centred emergency care. Our mission is to promote excellence in the quality of emergency care to all communities through our committed and expert members.
About RACP
The RACP acknowledges ongoing injustices and inequities stemming from colonisation shape the lived experiences of Indigenous people in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The RACP strongly stands by St Vincent’s Health Australia’s four core values are compassion, justice, integrity and excellence, and are specially committed to people who are poor or vulnerable.
The RACP recognises that Indigenous culture, languages and customs are bound within national and cultural identities of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Indigenous knowledge and cultures are to be valued and protected, as set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the United Nations’ Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Indigeneity is valued by the RACP because the College is committed to excellence, standards and improving health outcomes. Indigenous doctors are recognised as bringing highly valued and positive knowledge, skills and attributes to the Membership and the medical workforce.
Contact details:
AIDA: Media enqries please email [email protected]
ACEM: Helen Johnson – Media Relations Manager +61 3 8679 8891
RACP: T +61 413 185 634 or email [email protected]