Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health continues to be a key priority for Adelaide PHN, and we actively work with our partners to address health inequities and increase access to culturally appropriate services in our region.
We formally committed to our reconciliation journey in 2020 with the launch of our first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and proudly continue this journey via the launch of our second Innovate RAP.
Our 2023-25 RAP builds upon the work of our first and openly reflects on lessons learned and identifies opportunities to renew and extend our commitment to reconciliation.
The work of reconciliation demands sustained and focused effort, truth-telling and courageous conversations built and maintained through partnerships based on mutual respect, alongside a genuine commitment to self-determination.
Our Innovate RAP reflects our organisation’s commitment to meaningful and respectful engagement, strengthening current partnerships and establishing new ones. Our RAP is embedded in our strategic plan and drives our focus of improving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our 2023-25 Innovate RAP will:
- Ensure that we continue to plan and organise our work to promote widespread, powerful change in our community, so that we may support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve their best possible health outcomes
- Guide our programs, services and partnerships, allowing us to work safely, respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities
- Support our journey to becoming a culturally safe and competent organisation
- Support us in strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and organisations, so our work is informed by the people and communities we seek to support.
Key initiatives of our RAP include working to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations, using our sphere of influence to promote reconciliation and positive race relations, enhance employment and procurement opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and businesses, and to share strengths-based stories across our platforms.
We are proud to be part of a strong network of more than 1,100 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have taken goodwill and transformed it into action.
Our vision for reconciliation is an Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equitable access to high quality, culturally appropriate primary health care services that seek to address racism and power imbalance through active engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, resulting in improved health and wellbeing outcomes. This vision requires courage, generosity, integrity, and truth telling. We aspire to achieve a reconciled Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are restored to a place of equity, dignity, and respect and where the long-held philosophies, knowledge, strength, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are fully recognised and valued.
The artwork by Jordan Lovegrove, Ngarrindjeri, of Dreamtime Creative represents the Adelaide Primary Health Network (Adelaide PHN) and its service to surrounding communities. The large central meeting place is the Adelaide PHN with the River Torrens running through representing the location. The smaller meeting places with pathways connecting them are the different health services and partners servicing the local communities depicted by the patterned backgrounds on the outside. The boomerangs represent the Adelaide PHN working with service providers and community to achieve equity of opportunity for positive health outcomes. The pathway going through the artwork is the waterways and the journey into the central meeting place. The footprints represent the Adelaide PHN, service providers and community coming together to achieve a reconciled Australia where culture is restored to a place of equity, dignity, and respect.
Adelaide PHN’s Chief Executive Officer, Michelle McKay, shares the below message in the wake of the October 14 referendum results -
"We acknowledge the challenge this time poses for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community and our stakeholders.
As an organisation, we remain committed to our journey towards reconciliation and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
In our mission to enhance health outcomes across our region, we will continue to recognise the crucial need for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander self-determination in addressing health disparities.
Closing those gaps remains a key focus, and our continuous efforts for health equity and our embedded processes to involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people will persist.
We encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities to visit HealthInfoNet’s online portal to access support and well-being resources in this post-referendum period."