Our commitment to reconciliation

The Reflect RAP, formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, outlines NQPHN’s strong commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within North Queensland.

The RAP helps to build a culturally-aware workforce, improve upon appropriate practices, and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. With an organisational purpose to drive change within and support primary health care to improve individual and community health, NQPHN recognises the importance of an inclusive and culturally-appropriate approach towards our core business activities.

The RAP guides NQPHN to improve its relationship and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Its development reflects a deep-seeded commitment by the NQPHN Board and its Members to assure the actions and programs developed by NQPHN are culturally relevant, safe, and give due consideration to the aspirations of our nation’s First Peoples.

Specifically, NQPHN developed its Reflect RAP to:

• acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by continuing to build an understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs, values, and traditions through ongoing education
• improve relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in our region
• build partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations to ensure more effective and relevant engagement, and make meaningful contributions to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our region
• inform NQPHN’s commissioning activities and procurement to improve clinically and culturally-safe and accessible primary health services, including championing connected and integrated service commissioning actions wherever possible
• support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and services in identifying and securing resources that meet locally-identified health needs
• demonstrate NQPHN’s continuing focus and commitment to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan and other State and national policy frameworks which aim to Close the Gap
• support workforce development actions which assist to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations, and communities.

The Innovate RAP, formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, enables NQPHN to make aspirational and innovative commitments to help gain a deeper understanding of the organisation's sphere of influence and establish best practice approaches to advancing reconciliation.

The Innovate RAP outlines key actions NQPHN will undertake to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and communities in the North Queensland region, engage staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and develop innovative strategies to empower First Nations peoples.

The Innovate RAP is both an opportunity and an invitation for NQPHN to expand its understanding of its core strengths and deepen its relationship with its community, sta­ff, and stakeholders.

The Innovate RAP, formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, marks a significant step forward, empowering us to make impactful commitments that map out our future actions. It builds on the foundational work we have already achieved, while also encouraging our staff to engage deeply in reconciliation through an improved understanding of our learnings and participation in activities from our previous RAPs. As part of this commitment, we will continue to support the health and wellbeing of First Nations Peoples in our region.