At the Royal Melbourne Hospital, we acknowledge that reconciliation is a relationship and an ongoing journey. Our Reconciliation Action Plan demonstrates our commitment to improving our services and the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.
Acknowledgement
The Royal Melbourne Hospital acknowledges the Kulin nations as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our services are located.
We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations people.
Reconciliation at the RMH
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) recognises first and foremost the integral role our own staff and employees play in reconciling past injustices and their individual and collective roles in a more unified, cohesive and culturally safe future.
We continue to work together to achieve our shared vision.
For queries related to the RAP, contact the Director of Aboriginal Health.
Consultation and partnerships
Over many years, the RMH has taken steps to improve our relationships and health initiatives with First Nations communities. This continues to pave the way towards Reconciliation.
Our partnerships extend across various stakeholder groups. Some of these include:
- Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector (VACCHO) and the Wurundjeri Traditional Owner Group
- Balit Djerring Project Group
- Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
We also acknowledge our most influential stakeholder as our First Nations communities, both locally and nationally. We focus on engaging with our First Nations communities to enable self-determination and Indigenous governance.
Areas for action
Some of our areas for action include:
The RMH First Nations Dermatology service provides care for the skin health of First Nations communities across Victoria. Established by First Nations clinicians, the service aims to engage in culturally appropriate care, caring for all types of skin disease including inflammation, infection, and immunity-related conditions.
The RMH services plan includes culturally appropriate and specific healthcare services across a wide range of specialities.
We will continue to ensure diverse representation across our various decision-making bodies to oversee the strategies and processes that have outcomes for First Nations people.
We acknowledge that:
- Representation must include and be informed by the diversity of the RMH's catchment
- All governing bodies that oversee matters related to First Nations health must have significant First Nations representation
We plan to develop a set of guiding principles for how we work in partnership with individuals and groups to help them feel safe and respected.
We will identify and support increased participation by First Nations people in the workforce at all levels – in clinical, non-clinical and leadership roles.