Aspen Medical Reconciliation Action Plan

Reconciliation Action Plan2015-2018

2

Aspen Medical Reconciliation Action Plan

3

Introduction

This is Aspen Medical’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). As a privately-owned medical solutions-based company, we provide immediate healthcare services to remote areas and/or regions of high demand. We have engaged in a variety of projects and programs that have funded research into key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and delivered primary healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This RAP represents our plan to move to a new stage in our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and more broadly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We aspire to engage, partner and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a meaningful way to deliver improved health outcomes and employment, training and business outcomes.

Aspen grew out of a need to provide the highest quality healthcare in areas of high demand. A key feature of Aspen operations is our ability to operate in areas where medical services are either at a premium or non-existent. We are committed to making profound, practical contributions to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes as contained within the Council of Australian Government’s Close the Gap agenda. We have developed partnerships with remote health services and organisations throughout Australia. We have built on these relationships and experiences and will apply our expertise to deliver a set of meaningful and achievable outcomes in this RAP.

It is widely understood that reconciliation involves learning about culture and developing respect for that culture and embracing differences so we can move forward together. I will be encouraging all employees of Aspen to take practical steps to improve our knowledge and observance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, protocols and histories.

Aspen has taken its first steps. We envisage this RAP will be a sound business initiative and a worthy journey for us all to take.

Glenn Keys Executive Director

Reconciliation and Aspen Medical

4


5

Our vision for reconciliation

Aspen Medical will effectively provide tangible and practical examples of the principles of reconciliation through the provision of healthcare. We will seek to form positive relationships through partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that develop, nurture and harness real potential in our healthcare business.

6

Our businessAspen Medical provides a comprehensive suite of medical and environmental health services to support operations in remote and austere environments as well as in metropolitan areas.

Our expertise lies in understanding the requirements of our clients and developing a cost-effective solution for them. We provide comprehensive health services delivery solutions, ensuring our clients are informed and well positioned to make the best decision for their communities and their organisations.

We employ over 2,000 people with 11 team members identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. We have offices in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin, Alice Springs, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Townsville, Cairns and Perth as well as overseas.

We provide tailored health solutions with unique medical services, that may include:

• personnel

• medical equipment supply and maintenance

• medical facilities

• expert environmental and occupational consultation

• aero-medical evacuation services

• allied health, dental and surgical services

• patient management practices

• legislative and insurance requirements

• training

• consultancy

• logistics support.


7

We also provide medical facilities and equipment, that may include:

• creation of purpose-built medical facilities

• provision of mobile and relocatable medical facilities

• design and fit-out of medical facilities

• operations and maintenance of medical facilities

• all necessary medical and healthcare equipment, including maintenance and calibration

• all ambulance system design and establishment services and then operating the service

• arranging the transport and installation of mobile medical facilities.

Brisbane

Newcastle

Sydney

Canberra

Darwin

Alice Springs

Perth

Adelaide

Office locations

No. of sites per State

ACT 8 NSW 106 QLD 58 SA 27

WA 34 VIC 46 TAS 8 NT 117

Cairns

Townsville

8

Our RAP

Aspen Medical decided to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to provide a systematic and considered approach to its engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Over the years we have engaged in a variety of projects and programs that have funded research into key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and delivered primary healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. However, we have decided to enhance our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and more broadly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We aspire to engage, partner and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a meaningful way to deliver improved health outcomes and employment, training and business outcomes. This will enable us to respond more effectively to the requirements of the organisations we seek to partner with and provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The RAP was developed in a two-phase process. Initially we engaged an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, Ochre Business Consultants led by Ms Toni Ah Sam, to engage and consult with the company's Executive and senior team to build an understanding of what a RAP involves and to generate thinking about possible concepts and opportunities the RAP could include. Ms Ah Sam then led a workshop with this group to identify the aspirations and concrete ideas that could be incorporated into the RAP. A key part of the process was Ms Ah Sam’s ability to lead the group through a process that generated a heightened perception of the opportunities and linkages that flowed from a more strategic approach to engagement that focussed on business and employment opportunities.

Subsequently a working group refined the RAP led by Ms Toni Ah Sam and including Mr Craig Fitzgerald, Director – Corporate Social Responsibility and Mr Philip Roberts, General Manager of Remote Area Health Corps, to a working document for consideration and input from Reconciliation Australia. Mr Glenn Keys, Executive Director of Aspen Medical, actively supervised this process with a focus on achieving substantive goals.

Finally, the working group broadened its membership to interested staff members and presented the draft document to the entire team to gain input, feedback and ultimately buy-in to the RAP. We consider this buy-in from all parts of the company as essential to the


9

success of the RAP and the achievement of meaningful outcomes. Mr Craig Fitzgerald and Mr Philip Roberts will champion the RAP internally along with members of the working group across the entire Aspen Medical Group.

The journey towards our RAP

• With the establishment of Aspen Medical subsidiary, Remote Area Health Corps, and the provision of health professionals across the Northern Territory, we became acutely aware of the challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face, particularly around health.

• The owners of Aspen Medical formed the Aspen Foundation. To date, the Foundation has solely focussed on the eradication of diseases prevalent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Since 2009 the Foundation has funded organisations working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities working to improve hygiene education and also to eradicate trachoma and scabies.

• The Aspen Foundation, with the support of the Christian Blind Mission and Melbourne University’s Indigenous Eye Health Unit, funded and developed the first ever free online trachoma treatment module for health professionals.

• The Aspen Foundation commenced its support of those organisations targeting the eradication of trachoma.

• RAHC achieves its 1000th placement.

• Aspen Medical engages an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, Ochre Business Consultants, to engage and consult with the Executive and senior team of Aspen Medical to build an understanding of what a RAP involves and generate thinking about possible concepts and opportunities the RAP could include.

• The Aspen Foundation funds the charity Take Pride. Take Pride focusses on delivering hygiene programs across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait.

• RAHC achieves its 2000th placement.

• The Aspen Foundation commits to supporting One Disease At A Time in their mission to eradicate crusted scabies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• Input sought from the entire Aspen Medical team and a draft sent to Reconciliation Australia for input. Formal launch of the RAP.

• The Aspen Foundation funds a second free online eye health module for health professionals. This module focusses on preventable blindness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• The Aspen Foundation funds Malpa in their delivery of the Young Doctors program in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Young Doctors is a health leadership program which trains young people to be health ambassadors in their communities. It is designed and run by local Elders, respected community members and supported by health workers.

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2015• RAHC achieves its 3000th placement.

10

Aspen FoundationThe Aspen Foundation was established in 2009 as a health promotion charity. The Foundation’s mission is to undertake life-changing healthcare through significantly reducing or eradicating key illnesses in the Australian community and providing education for the sustainability of improved health practices. A key focus of the Foundation has been to provide public health education to remote communities. Through its healthy skin and eye programs the Foundation has set a goal of helping to eliminate trachoma and crusted scabies in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Foundation is closely aligned with the RAP as Aspen Medical is committed to providing healthcare solutions to remote areas and regions of high demand across Australia. For more information about the Foundation please go to http://www.aspenfoundation.org.au.


11

Remote Area Health CorpsThe Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) was established in 2008 to strengthen the delivery of primary health services in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is designed to increase the pool of health professionals available for work in remote Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by attracting urban-based health professionals. RAHC recruits, orientates and then provides each new-to-remote health professional with comprehensive training and ongoing tailored support to help them to successfully transition to remote practice. The health professionals who undertake such work include Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, Oral and Allied Health professionals.

RAHC collaborates closely with its stakeholders including the Aboriginal Medical Service Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), Northern Territory Government Department of Health and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) as well as relevant training bodies to maintain the delivery of an appropriate and responsive program.

RAHC has proven itself to be an effective model of delivering workforce into remote communities in the Northern Territory. The program has delivered more than 2,700 placements since December 2008 and has developed a pool of over 700 health professionals who have successfully made the transition to remote practice. An important part of the program is that on their return to their urban home location, health professionals are more attuned to the needs and cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples they have served. This represents practical reconciliation in action.

For more information about RAHC please go to http://www.rahc.com.au.

12

Relationships

Aspen Medical is committed to building strong, enduring relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through close partnership and collaboration as an integral part of its healthcare services.

Focus area

Making significant contributions to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This commitment extends to engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and open communication/consultation with key stakeholders.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE TARGET

1. RAP working group

established to monitor

development of the RAP

including implementation,

tracking and reporting.

Executive Director July 2015 • A RAP Working Group is formed and

operational to support the development of

our RAP, comprising Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people and other Australians.

• Bi-monthly meetings are held to monitor

RAP progress.

2. Subject Matter Expert Panel

established which includes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander and non-Indigenous

experts in the health sector

both internal and external to

Aspen Medical.

Medical Director November 2015 • Meet twice per year to monitor the progress

on the actions coming out of the RAP.

• The panel members consist of reputable

professionals in the healthcare industry. The

panel will also seek expressions of interest

and/or approach various individuals directly

to see if they wish to make a contribution.

• Terms of reference to be established to

outline roles and responsibilities of those on

the panel.


13


3. Strengthen existing

relationships and explore

new and appropriate

relationships with the


Islander communities,

organisations, business and

corporate Australia where

Aspen Medical offices are

located across Australia.

General Manager,

RAHC and other

General Managers

where required

September

2015

• Establish a database of all current local

contacts including other Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander NGOs and corporate bodies.

• Ensure that the local contact database is

available to all Aspen Medical staff on the

internal IT system.

• Invite local Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples in the healthcare

industry to comment on current RAP and

associated plans.

• Develop a commitment statement to work in

partnership with key Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander groups, organisations and

businesses.

• Publish the commitment statement on the

Aspen Medical and RAHC websites.

4. As part of the ongoing

commitment and

relationship building with


Islander communities, Aspen

Medical will participate

in National Reconciliation

Week (NRW) events.

Director,

Marketing

May 2015 • Starting in 2015, organise one event

across each Aspen Medical location to

celebrate NRW.

• Encourage all staff to participate in external

NRW events.

• Aspen Medical to host an event to highlight

the work it does through RAHC.

• Encourage all RAHC staff to participate at

a local level in Darwin and/or Alice Springs

each year.

5. Invest and participate in

opportunities to engage in


Islander days of significance

that support and promote


Islander cultures.

Director,

Marketing

July 2015 • Encourage all staff to organise and participate

in one event each year.

• Encourage RAHC to participate at a local event

in both and/or either Darwin and Alice Springs

each year.

14

Respect

Aspen Medical acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations of Australia. We value and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as an important part of the fabric of Australia. As an organisation we stand by our commitment to earn and demonstrate mutual respect.

Focus area

Continuing the work Aspen has started.


1. Consult with local Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander

communities to develop and

understand the importance

of Welcome to Country and

Acknowledgment of Country

protocols.

General Manager,

RAHC

September 2015 • Develop protocols and educate all staff via

internal IT systems on why and how Welcome

to Country and Acknowledgement to Country

protocols are practiced.

• Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement

to Country incorporated into all significant

events and meetings.

2. Provide ongoing cultural

awareness training for all

staff as a commitment to

promote awareness of


Islander cultures.

General Manager,

RAHC

October 2015 • Amend current Induction programs to include

cultural awareness training.

• Aspen Medical to identify local Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultural consultants to

deliver awareness training at a local level.

• Develop a database of preferred Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander cultural consultants

to supply cultural awareness training

throughout Australia.


15


3. Provide opportunities for

staff to experience cultural

events around Australia

through volunteering.

Director, CSR

Director,

Marketing

September 2015 • Identify through charity partners how Aspen

Medical staff can volunteer to assist at

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural

events, conference and festivals throughout

Australia.

4. Encourage and support

Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander employees

to attend cultural events

and community activities

throughout NAIDOC

(National Aboriginal and

Islander Day of Observance

Committee) Week events.

Director,

Marketing

July 2015 • Encourage RAHC to participate at a local event

in both and/or either Darwin and Alice Springs

each year.

• Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander employees to participate

in local NAIDOC Week events.

• Aspen Medical will participate in at least one

event and promote this through their annual

calendar to inform all staff about National

Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

• Each Aspen Medical office participates or

hosts a local event that is appropriate to

their location and existing relationships with

local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

communities.

16

Opportunities

Aspen Medical is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve their access to business and employment opportunities with our company.

Focus area

Aspen Medical is committed to developing healthcare solutions in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples around Australia. This will be achieved by offering mutually beneficial opportunities through joint ventures and strategic alliances with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Australia.


1. Investigate opportunities

within Aspen Medical

to increase Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander

employment and training

opportunities in both the

clinical and non-clinical

operations of the business.

Director, CSR

Director, Human

Resources

General Managers

of Operations

September 2015 • Establish, develop and implement an Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Employment and

Training Strategy. This strategy will factor in

recruitment, career pathways, professional

development and retention.

• Investigate and identify potential opportunities

to sponsor and/or offer full scholarships to

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

professionals such as doctors, paramedics,

registered nurses and dental nurses.

• Offer a minimum of two cadetships and/or

traineeships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples for non-clinical positions such

as: Accountants, Human Resources, Marketing

and other administrative positions.

• Develop and implement a mentoring program to

ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff

and/or students receive support throughout

their training, studies and/or employment with

Aspen Medical.


17


2. Investigate and identify


Islander owned businesses

that could be engaged as

suppliers for Aspen Medical.

General Manager,

RAHC

August 2015 • Identify how to become a member of

Supply Nation.

• Develop a database of potential Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander businesses that

Aspen Medical endorses as suppliers of

different services and products.

• Ensure that the database is available to all

staff via the internal IT systems.

• Develop and implement an Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Business Strategy which

will identify potential businesses to provide

products and services to Aspen Medical.

3. Investigate appropriate

Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander and other

organisations to develop

stronger partnerships,

strategic alliances and

agreements with the

purpose of engaging with

local communities.

Director, CSR

General Managers

of Operations

December 2015 • Develop a list identifying existing and

potential healthcare organisations, registered

training organisations, professional health

associations with the purpose of entering into

high level agreements with.

4. Investigate opportunities

for collaboration with


Islander businesses for

mutual benefit.

Director, CSR

General Managers

of Operations

December 2015 • Develop a document that details potential

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

businesses.

18

Tracking progress and reporting


1. Report achievements,

challenges and learnings

to Reconciliation Australia

for inclusion in the Annual

Impact Measurement Report.

Director, CSR June 2016 • RAP progress is reported each year in the RAP

Impact Measurement Questionnaire.

• RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire

is provided to Reconciliation Australia by

September each year.

2. Monitor and evaluate the


Islander Employment and

Training Strategy.

Director, Human

Resources

June 2016 • Provide progress report to Executive two

yearly for their review.

• Progress reports to Subject Matter Expert

Panel on for their feedback on Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.

1. Monitor and evaluate the


Islander Business Strategy.

Director, CSR December 2016 • Provide progress report to Executive every

two years for their review.

• Progress reports to Subject Matter Expert

Panel on for their feedback on Indigenous

Employment Strategy.

Contact details Craig Fitzgerald Director – Corporate Social Responsibility

+61 (0)2 6203 9500

[email protected]


FOLLOW DISCOVERCONTACT

2 King Street Deakin, ACT 2600 Australia

Phone +61 (0)2 6203 9500

CRE8

IVE

1370

6 08

14

Documents

Aspen Medical Reconciliation Action Plan