Gippsland PHN acknowledges the past and present trauma and injustices that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples have endured, and continue to endure, over the course of colonisation.
Gippsland PHN’s vision for reconciliation is to address Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people’s rights to equity of access to culturally safe and inclusive primary health care in Gippsland.
Gippsland PHN’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a framework to guide our collaborative work with communities and organisations to shape and deliver culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities across the region.
It helps us build cultural capability across all levels of our organisation, foster an inclusive and culturally safe environment and embed reconciliation principles into our business practices, decision-making and service delivery.
Our first plan, Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate 2023–2025, was launched in April 2023 and included 80 key deliverables designed to build respectful relationships, increase cultural understanding and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are proud to have delivered this important foundational work in our reconciliation journey.
We are now turning our attention to the development of our next RAP, which will see us engage with stakeholders and local communities to identify new opportunities and set clear goals for the future.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Reconciliation Action Plan
Gippsland PHN Reconciliation Action Plan February 2023 – 2025
Gippsland PHN is committed to supporting reconciliation by creating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to guide, influence and shape our policies and programs.
Our RAP was developed through extensive collaboration between our internal RAP Working Group, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal Land Councils and external community advisors.
These partnerships have been instrumental in shaping our reconciliation journey, ensuring it is informed by lived experience, cultural knowledge and community priorities.
Through our Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate 2023–2025, we are proud to have delivered meaningful and measurable progress. We have completed 40 deliverables, embedded a further 37 into business-as-usual activities and identified three for future consideration.
Learn more about the highlights of our reconciliation journey so far in our Reconciliation Action Plan March 2024 Update and our Reconciliation Action Plan June 2026 Update
Culturally safe care provides an environment where individuals feel spiritually, socially, and emotionally secure. It ensures people are empowered and that their identity, culture, and beliefs are acknowledged and respected – without risk of discrimination, prejudice or harm.
Cultural safety is a key consideration when planning, delivering and evaluating services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. It fosters greater trust in health care services, improves access and contributes to better health outcomes.
Gippsland PHN understands when delivering effective culturally safe care, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Health is viewed holistically and extends beyond physical wellbeing. It supports a connection to culture, community and Country, and incorporates an understanding of broader social and cultural factors that may influence health care.
The Balit Durn Durn Social and Emotional Wellbeing Wheel represents a holistic healing approach and includes factors that support good mental health for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
The wheel illustrates the relationship between individuals, families and communities that is shaped by connection to the body, mind and emotions, family kinship, community, culture, land and spirituality.
The outer wheel speaks to how these factors interact with social, historical, and political determinants of health and wellbeing, and the importance of each element in keeping well.
Organisations can support the delivery of culturally safe care by implementing policies, procedures and practices that equip staff to engage respectfully and appropriately with priority populations.
Do you want to hear more about our reconciliation journey or be involved in the next stage? Please reach out to us via email on rapinfo@gphn.org.au.
We welcome your feedback, suggestions and ideas to help shape culturally inclusive health care in Gippsland. Please share your thoughts by completing our feedback form.
Learn more about the importance of reconciliation and culturally safe health care by exploring the following resources:
