Alpine Health raises flags to recognise National Reconciliation Week
29 May 2023
On Monday 29 May in recognition of National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June, Alpine Health held a flag raising ceremony of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian Flags at all three Alpine Health sites, Mt Beauty, Bright and Myrtleford.
By flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, we show our respect to First Nations people and promote our programs and services as culturally safe.First Nations people in Victoria and across Australia have been found to have poorer health outcomes than non-First Nations people. In seeking to improve health outcomes, Alpine Health has developed its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP provides a clear and structured framework to improve how we work with First Nations people and ensures that our approach is both meaningful and considerate of the health needs of First Nations people.
Since our RAP was launched last July, a number of actions have been completed:
- Developing a better understanding of who the different Traditional Owner groups in the Alpine Shire are and their histories and relationships
- Screening of Djakamirr: Caretaker of Pregnancy and Birth for International Midwives Day and connecting with some of our First Nations community members.
- Making Cultural safety training mandatory for all Alpine Health staff.
- Including Acknowledgement of Country in all Alpine Health meetings and email signatures as a mark of respect.
- Installing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at each site.
Nick Shaw CEO said "As a local health service, we need to ensure that everyone feels safe in seeking help with their health and the flags are a public statement that we welcome First Nations community members into our service. We know that First Nations people often have poorer health outcomes and we hope that the flags signify our commitment in closing this health gap.”
Photo: Flag Raising Ceremony at Myrtleford Hospital attended by Alpine Health CEO Nick Shaw, Staff, and CHAG Chair Kitty Knappstein.
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