Doctors from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have released an Indigenous Strategic Framework in Sydney today.

The Framework formalises work that has been underway to help the medical community address health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Maori people.

Speaking from the RACP’s annual Congress event, President Dr Catherine Yelland said the Framework outlines priority areas to improve health outcomes for Australia and New Zealand’s first peoples and create a culturally competent specialist workforce.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Maori still experience significant disadvantage and barriers when it comes to accessing quality health services,” Dr Yelland said.

“As medical specialists we are committed to growing the Indigenous physician workforce and delivering equitable health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. This Framework serves to consolidate and strengthen our work in this vital area.

“The College will work to address inequities in Indigenous health outcomes and equip and educate the broader physician workforce to improve Indigenous health and foster health services that are culturally safe and competent.”

The Framework supports the Uluru Statement from The Heart and the College’s commitment to supporting the moral and ethical responsibilities arising from the Treaty of Waitangi.

To view the Framework, visit the RACP website.