ACEM - Australia: Reconciliation Action Plan

The College's vision for reconciliation addresses the inequities in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The RAP builds on established relationships, respect, and opportunities in our reconciliation journey.

Relationships

The College is responsible for setting standards for emergency departments that can influence how care is delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Relationships are central to working in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The College engages with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, representative organisations and other relevant stakeholders to build and maintain these strong relationships. Emergency departments must be culturally safe and competent environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, family and staff. Cultural safety extends to the promotion, recruitment, retention and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical graduates undertaking emergency medicine training.

Action	Deliverable	Timeline	Responsibility	Status
1. Establish and maintain a RAP Steering Group to actively monitor implementation of RAP actions, track progress, reporting and review.	1.1 Oversee the development, endorsement and launch of the RAP	August 2019	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	In progress
	1.2 Develop Terms of Reference and establish Steering Group, incorporating broad representation across ACEM and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are represented	July 2019 July 2020	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Complete for 2019 and 2020
	1.3 Meet three times per year to monitor and report on RAP implementation	October 2019 April 2020 August 2020 October 2020 April 2021	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	In progress
2. Celebrate and participate in National Reconciliation Week (NRW) by providing opportunities to build and maintain relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians	2.1 Ensure our RAP Steering Group participates in an external event to recognise and celebrate NRW	May 2020 May 2021	RAP Steering Group	Complete for 2020
	2.2 Continue to organise at least one internal event for NRW each year and register our NRW event via Reconciliation Australia's NRW website	May 2020 May 2021	General Manager, People and Culture	Complete for 2020
	2.3 Alert staff and members to Reconciliation Australia's NRW resources	May 2020 May 2021	General Manager, People and Culture	Complete for 2020
	2.4 Support an external NRW event	May 2020 May 2021	General Manager, People and Culture	Complete for 2020
3. Communicate ACEM's RAP to all ACEM members, trainees, staff and other stakeholders to promote reconciliation across our business and sector	3.1 Develop a communications campaign and ongoing strategy to promote our RAP to internal and external stakeholders	July 2019 July 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	3.2 Promote reconciliation through ongoing active engagement with all stakeholders	July 2019 July 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing

4. Enhance and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations to support positive outcomes	4.1 Maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representation on the RAP Steering Group, Indigenous Health Committee, Council of Education and ACEM Foundation	December 2019 December 2020	ACEM Board Office of the CEO	Ongoing
	4.2 Meet with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to develop guiding principles for future engagement. ACEM will develop an engagement plan to work with: Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) College for Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network The Lowitja Institute Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association (NATSIHWA) Wurundjeri Land Council (Victoria)	July 2019 July 2020	RAP Steering Group Oversight General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	In progress
	4.3 Establish a RAP Champion in each Faculty to provide guidance to emergency departments in their jurisdiction to establish relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and enhance relationships within hospitals to progress ACEM’s reconciliation goals for emergency departments	July 2019 July 2020	General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	In progress Impacted by COVID-19
	4.4 Establish a relationship with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health advisory group or Aboriginal Medical Service in each State through the RAP Faculty Champion	December 2019 December 2020	RAP Faculty Champions General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Contingent on 4.3
	4.5 Undertake a review of our stakeholder engagement activities and identify further opportunities to engage where a need is identified	October 2019 October 2020	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	In progress See 4.2

Respect

The College respects and values the rich diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, languages, histories, customs and practices.
Respect is a crucial element of the reconciliation journey.

Action	Deliverable	Timeline	Responsibility	Status
5. Improve emergency medicine physician and trainee knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and outcomes	5.1 Promote and maintain the ACEM Indigenous Health & Cultural Competency Training Modules and Assessing Cultural Competency Modules as a learning resource for members	August 2019 August 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services Executive Director Education & Training	In progress
	5.2 Support the implementation of mandatory cultural competency activities in the ACEM CPD program	August 2019 August 2020	Indigenous Health Committee	Ongoing
6. Develop resources to support emergency departments to embed cultural safety into work practices	6.1 Review and develop standards, policies, guidelines and resources based on recommendations from the Lowitja Institute & ACEM Enhancing Cultural Safety in Australian Emergency Departments Project	July 2020 June 2021	Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships	Not started Impacted by COVID-19
	6.2 Develop a communications plan to promote the resources developed as a result of the Lowitja Institute & ACEM Enhancing Cultural Safety in Australian Emergency Departments Project	December 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Not started
	6.3 Produce and promote a video series showcasing recipients of the ACEM Al Spilman Award for Culturally Safe Emergency Departments	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	In progress
7. Engage staff and members in continuous cultural learning opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements	7.1 Develop a face-to-face Senior Leadership Cultural Competency Program for the ACEM Executive Leadership Team, ACEM Board, Council of Education, Council for Advocacy, Practice and Partnership and the ACEM Foundation, in conjunction with ACEM’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group	September 2019 September 2020	RAP Steering Group Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group General Manager, People & Culture	In progress Impacted by COVID-19
	7.2 Include a walking tour of Brejerrenewyn (Flagstaff Gardens) as part of the Senior Leadership Cultural Competency Program. Brejerrenewyn is adjacent to ACEM’s Head Office, and is a site of cultural significance for the Kulin Nations	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Complete for 2019
	7.3 Continue to implement Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training strategy for ACEM staff through a combination of online, face-to-face workshops and cultural immersion experiences that are relevant to all areas of ACEM business	July 2019 July 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	7.4 Scope the appointment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural adviser or Elder in residence to ACEM	December 2019	RAP Steering Group Office of the CEO	In progress
	7.5 Work with the organising committees of the Annual Scientific Meetings, Winter Symposia, and Faculty Conferences to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Competency content is a standing item on the program	December 2019 December 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	In progress
8. Engage ACEM members and staff in understanding the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols, and provide cultural learning opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements	8.1 Continue to implement and communicate a cultural protocol document for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO	Implemented and ongoing
	8.2 Continue to encourage staff to include an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of all ACEM Board, Council of Education, Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnership, committee and working group meetings	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO All Executive Directors	Implemented and ongoing
	8.3 Continue to maintain a list of key contacts for organising a Welcome to Country and maintaining respectful partnerships	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	8.4 Continue to ensure that a Traditional Owner is invited to provide a Welcome to Country at Annual Scientific Meetings, Winter Symposia, Faculty Conferences, and other events of significance hosted by ACEM	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	8.5 Continue to display an Acknowledgement of Country plaque, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and artwork at ACEM head office	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO	Implemented and ongoing
9. Demonstrate respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by celebrating NAIDOC Week	9.1 Continue to provide a NAIDOC celebration at ACEM head office	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO	Complete for 2019
	9.2 Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are no barriers to ACEM staff participating in NAIDOC Week	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO	Complete for 2019
	9.3 Alert and promote NAIDOC Week to all emergency departments with the aim of enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate with their cultures and communities during this celebratory period	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO	Complete for 2019
	9.4 Enable all ACEM Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate with their communities during NAIDOC Week	September 2019 September 2020	Office of the CEO	Complete for 2019
10. Continue to recognise significant dates of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities	10.1 Continue to inform ACEM staff and members about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates of significance through the weekly bulletin, social media and other communication channels	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
11. Celebrate our achievements in embedding reconciliation in EDs	11.1 Promote the ACEM Al Spilman Award for Culturally Safe Emergency Departments at regular intervals to encourage and support EDs in their reconciliation journey.	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Ongoing

Opportunities

ACEM encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and graduates to consider emergency medicine as a career. The presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander emergency medicine physicians in emergency departments creates a more accessible and culturally safe environment, improving the quality of health care and increasing earlier treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee and Fellow representation on ACEM entities and governing bodies is essential to embedding reconciliation in the organisation and in emergency departments. The College contributes to employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through improving business practices and building relationships with relevant stakeholders.

Action	Deliverable	Timeline	Responsibility	Status
12. Ensure ACEM’s Accreditation Standards are consistent with national guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient health and safety.	12.1 Align ACEM’s Accreditation Standards for Training Sites with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards specifically aimed at improving the quality of care and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers	May 2021	Executive Director Education & Training & Training	Not started
13. Continue to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and graduates to pursue emergency medicine as a career	13.1 Review and implement targeted selection into the ACEM Training Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants	November 2019 November 2020	Executive Director Education & Training & Training	In progress
	13.2 Attract and engage medical students and graduates through specific information provided on the ACEM website and access to the ACEM e-bulletin	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	In progress
	13.3 Host a breakfast meeting at the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association Conference (AIDA) 2019 and 2020 to promote emergency medicine as a career choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and graduates	September 2019 September 2020	RAP Steering Group	Closed Impacted by COVID-19
	13.4 Implement a communications strategy to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors to undertake the ACEM Emergency Medicine Certificate and/or Diploma	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	13.5 Continue to provide and promote the ACEM Emergency Medicine Certificate Grant which covers fees for registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical practitioners to undertake the Emergency Medicine Certificate	September 2019 September 2020	ACEM Foundation Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	13.6 Continue to provide and promote ACEM Foundation conference grants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical practitioners, medical students and other health professionals to attend the ACEM Winter Symposium and the ACEM Annual Scientific Meeting	September 2019 September 2020	ACEM Foundation Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	13.7 Continue to provide sponsorship support for the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) Conference, the Lowitja Institute Conference, International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress (PRIDoC), National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO) Conference and Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Connection	September 2019 September 2020	ACEM Foundation Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships	Ongoing
14. Provide targeted support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and Fellows	14.1 Consult with our current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees to understand how ACEM can best support them on their journey through the ACEM Training Program, and implement their recommendations where practicable	September 2019	Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships Executive Director Education & Training	Complete
	14.2 Provide a letter from the ACEM President to new Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander trainees, welcoming them to the Training Program, and advising of support and opportunities available to them	February 2020 February 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	Ongoing
	14.3 Ensure trainees have opportunities to attend relevant meetings and conferences e.g., AIDA Conference, PRIDoC conference, LIME Connection, Lowitja Institute Conference, ACEM Annual Scientific Meeting and Winter Symposium	February 2020 February 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	Ongoing
	14.4 Explore the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support and Information Network with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and Fellows	December 2019	Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships	Contingent on 14.1
	14.5 Support flexibility in training options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees who have to leave their country or community to fulfil curriculum requirements to become an emergency physician	February 2020 February 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	Ongoing
	14.6 Continue to provide and promote opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advanced emergency medicine trainees through the ACEM Joseph Epstein Scholarship	September 2019 September 2020	ACEM Foundation Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
15. Support ACEM’s mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and Fellows	15.1 Continue to provide and support mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and Fellows	February 2020 February 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	In progress
16. Increase ACEM trainee exposure to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues in the curriculum	16.1 Work with Directors of Emergency Medicine Training (DEMTs) to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Competency in their departmental teaching programs	June 2020 June 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	In progress
	16.2 Develop appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health education resources to support the revised ACEM Training Curriculum	June 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	Not started
	16.3 Develop appropriate education resources to support the ACEM Special Skills Placement in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Health	June 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	Not started
	16.4 Continue to partner with key stakeholders to remove barriers for trainees undertaking ACEM’s Special Skills Placement in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Health	June 2021	RAP Steering Group Executive Director Education & Training	Not started
	16.5 Deliver a workshop with the LIME Network for medical colleges to explore ways to embed assessment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural competency into the specialist college’s training programs	November 2020	Indigenous Health Committee Executive Director Education & Training	Complete
	16.6 Deliver a workshop for Directors of Emergency Medicine Training (DEMTs) on teaching cultural competency at ACEM’s 2019 ASM	November 2019	Indigenous Health Committee Executive Director Education & Training	In progress (Linked to 16.1)
17. Advocate to hospital administrators the benefits of recruiting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff	17.1 Develop an ACEM position statement on increasing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workforce by targeted recruitment of Indigenous Health Liaison Workers (IHLOs), Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs), clerical, support, medical, nursing and allied health staff	December 2019	Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships	Ongoing
	17.2 Advocate ACEM’s position on targeted recruitment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in the ED	December 2019 December 2020	Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships	Not started (Contingent on 17.1)
18. Provide opportunities to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional employment at ACEM	18.1 Continue to implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Retention strategy	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	18.2 Review HR and recruitment procedures and policies to ensure there are no barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and future applicants participating in our workplace.	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Completed for 2019
	18.3 Advertise all staff vacancies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	18.4 Continue to include in all job advertisements, ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.’	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	18.5 Improve the cultural responsiveness of ACEM staff recruitment panels by including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander representatives when relevant for the applicant or the position	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	18.6 Encourage ACEM Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to self-identify in ACEM's employee services portal	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	18.7 Collect information on our current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to inform future employment opportunities	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
	18.8 Engage with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to consult on employment strategies, including professional development	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Complete for 2019
	18.9 Establish an internship for two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander university students in the Policy and Strategic Partnerships Department at ACEM Head Office	December 2019 December 2020	General Manager, People & Culture Executive Director, Policy & Strategic Partnerships	On hold due to COVID-19
19. Investigate opportunities to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity within ACEM business operations	19.1 Review ACEM's purchasing guidelines and procedures to identify any barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to supply our organisation with goods and services	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	19.2 Continue to work with Koori Heritage Trust consultants to develop our cultural awareness training	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Complete for 2019
	19.3 Maintain our commercial relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned businesses	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
	19.4 Investigate Supply Nation membership	December 2019 December 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	In progress
	19.5 Continue to promote Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory to staff for the purpose of engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to supply ACEM with their services	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	In progress
20. Develop initiatives to educate and reflect on emergency departments’ role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health	20.1 Take a leadership role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Medical Education and Training by scoping a symposium based on findings from the Lowitja Institute & ACEM Enhancing Cultural Safety in Australian Emergency Departments Project	April 2021	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Closed due to COVID-19 – will be carried over to 2021-22 RAP

Tracking Progress and Reporting

The RAP is incorporated in all facets of our business. We continually track the progress of implementation and the outcomes achieved.

Action	Deliverable	Timeline	Responsibility	Status
20. Report regularly on progress and implementation	21.1 Measure uptake of ACEM Indigenous Health and Cultural Competency modules and resources, and report to RAP Steering Group	October 2019 April 2020 August 2020 October 2020 April 2021	Executive Director Education & Training	Ongoing
20. Report regularly on progress and implementation	21.2 Provide regular reports on progress and implementation of RAP to ACEM Board, Council of Education, Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnership and Indigenous Health Committee	Reports provided based on meeting schedules for the entities listed	Executive Director Policy & Strategic Partnerships	Ongoing
22. Incorporate additional responsibilities of ACEM's RAP into relevant staff position descriptions	22.1 Review relevant staff position descriptions and include the additional responsibilities from the current RAP	September 2019 September 2020	General Manager, People & Culture	Ongoing
23. Report RAP achievements, successes, challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia	23.1 Report RAP progress via the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually	September 2019 September 2020	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Complete for 2020
	23.2 Investigate participating in the RAP Barometer	April 2021	General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Not started
24. Report RAP achievements, challenges and learnings	24.1 Ensure RAP achievements, challenges and learnings are publicly available on the ACEM website	September 2019 September 2020	Executive Director Corporate Services	Ongoing
25. Commence review of RAP prior to expiry of current RAP	25.1 In partnership with Reconciliation Australia, develop a new RAP to align with ACEM's Strategic and Business Plans	January 2021	RAP Steering Group General Manager, Strategic Partnerships	Not started

2017-2018 RAP

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan January 2017 – December 2018

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