As a provider of primary care, health and wellbeing programs, and specialised services, BCH has a responsibility to provide all community members with culturally responsive, inclusive and evidence-based care.
We can only achieve this through meaningful collaboration between our organisation and diverse communities, not least Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are over-represented in every way in the determinants of poor health.
BCH is committed to improving and strengthening our services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members in our work towards closing the gap in health disparity and life expectancy.
BCH began its Reconciliation Action Plan journey in 2018, with the development of the Reflect RAP. A RAP Working Group (RWG) was established to oversee its development and implementation and continues to have representation from across the organisation, as well external representation from local Aboriginal communities, including representatives from the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Mirriyu Cultural Consulting, Victoria Police Proactive Policing Unit, and Catholic Care Vic/Tas.
The 12-month Reflect RAP was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in January 2020.
Innovate RAP provides a valuable framework for BCH to deepen its commitment to reconciliation and enable us to have better engagement across the communities we serve.
It offers a valuable opportunity for our staff to gain a deeper knowledge of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, histories and Cultures, Truth and Justice, and in turn, embed consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in everything we do.
Working in partnership with Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative, we will strive to ensure a complete offering of medical and allied health services for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, rather than duplicate existing services. Moreover, we will aim to drive reconciliation through our business activities by forging mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers, wherever possible.
