RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN March 2017 March 2018 March 2017 March 2018
ENDORSEMENT FROM CEO RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA 2
OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION Respect and understanding of First Australians as a core value of CareFlight CEO MESSAGE From our earliest days more than 30 years ago, patients have been at the heart of everything we do at CareFlight. As we have spread our wings across the country, more and more of our patients are First Australians. This is particularly so for the many people at CareFlight who call the Northern Territory home. It is axiomatic in medicine that caring for patients means more than treating symptoms and curing illness. It means treating the person as a whole. When the patient identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, it means we must be attuned to a range of social and cultural experiences and influences that are different to those of us whose culture and experience is drawn from other backgrounds and contexts This Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) provides a framework and a pathway for building cross-cultural awareness within our organisation and embedding respect for First Australians as a core value at CareFlight. Our aim is that this should be as much part of who we are as our commitment to patient care, to quality and to safety. The RAP maps out a series of activities and programs that will roll out over the months and years ahead. I will be actively encouraging all managers and their staff to ensure that they make the time to fully participate in these initiatives and extract the maximum personal benefit. I have no doubt that, as individuals, we have much to learn and gain from the experience. Collectively, the process will strengthen the organisation and our relationships with the communities that we serve. Derek Colenbrander CEO 3
OUR HISTORY CareFlight is an Australian aeromedical charity, established in 1986 by a small group of passionate people with a shared vision. Our mission is to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community by providing the highest standard of rapid response critical care. We employ about 300 staff operating from bases in Darwin and Sydney and use helicopters, aeroplanes and medi-jets to bring a hospital level of care to the critically ill and injured. Our aircrew, medical teams and coordinators work closely together to ensure that patients receive the best care as soon as possible. It's about bringing the right team to the right patient at the right time. CareFlight has always held a strong focus on education. We hold teaching accreditation with the critical care colleges of anaesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine and have trained hundreds of critical care specialists in pre-hospital and transport medicine. Many more first responders and community volunteers have also gained life-saving skills. Our increased presence across Australia has extended the reach of this training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live and work in our remote communities. Innovation is central to our mission and purpose. We introduced the concept of flying critical care doctors direct to the aid of the seriously ill and injured; we pioneered night vision goggle technology for civilian rescue helicopters; we initiated a clinical trial on the benefits of early physician intervention for head injuries; these are all Australian 'firsts'. As a charitable organisation our social commitment is to improve the health of all Australians in accordance with Australia s human rights protections and anti-discrimination law and we are committed to achieving this throughout the remote communities we serve. 4
Everything CareFlight has achieved over the years has been with the loyal and generous support of the communities we serve. We rely on our many partners and friends to provide the resources to make the CareFlight difference. We have come to recognise the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in the organisation. To date, we currently only have four employees who identify as Aboriginal so we have created our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy with the aim of increasing that figure from the current level. OUR SERVICES We offer a range of services in patient care and in education and training in line with our mission to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community. Patient Care o Helicopter Rapid Response Trauma Service o Fixed Wing Aeromedical Service o Helicopter Aeromedical Service o Paediatric and Newborn Transport o CareFlight International Air Ambulance Service o Search and Rescue Service o Patient Information Education and Training o CareFlight MediSim Program o Doctor Training and Accreditation o Nurse Training o Medical Training Courses o First Responder Training o Night Vision Goggle Technology Training 5
OUR RAP We are committed to reconciliation with Australia s First Nation peoples through providing an effective and efficient aeromedical service and first responder training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We sought to demonstrate our commitment through the development, implementation and review of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We envisage this RAP will guide our staff and the organisation in achieving our vision while at the same time building strong connections and linkages between CareFlight and, in particular, the remote communities it serves in the Northern Territory. We recognise that we travel and work on the lands of various First Nation people. In doing so, our policy is to formally acknowledge Traditional Owners and their Elders, both past and present, at all levels across our operations. We also recognise the importance of cultural protocols to First Nation people and have commenced discussions with Traditional Owner groups and organisations regarding protocols for Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremonies, permission to visit country and appropriate signage. We continue to develop strong working relationships with various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations for sharing information and open and constructive discussions on how we can work together to make a difference to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We work collaboratively with remote Primary Health Care centres within our service area to ensure that the sick and injured in remote areas have access to the same care as those living close to hospitals in the urban areas. This RAP is supported by the Board of CareFlight. 6
OUR FOCUS Our RAP will focus on: building strong relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we service; demonstrating our respect for Australia s First Nation people through providing a culturally appropriate service; creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within CareFlight; and demonstrating our commitment to our RAP through our RAP tracking and reviewing process. 7
RELATIONSHIPS Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility 1. Establish a RAP Working Group Form a RAP Working Group that is operational to support the development of our RAP, comprising of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and decision-making staff from across our organisation. April 2017 Manager Community Relations (CR) 2. Build internal and external relationships Develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations within our local area or sphere of influence that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey. Develop a list of RAP organisations and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey. April 2017 GM Public Affairs and Communication (PA&C) / GM Northern Operations / Manager CR Develop a list of external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations that we can approach to build partnerships with. 3. Participate in and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) Encourage all staff to attend a NRW event. Circulate Reconciliation Australia s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff. Ensure our Working Group participates in external events to recognise and celebrate NRW. 27 May - 3 June 2017 GM PA&C / GM Northern Operations / Manager CR 4. Raise internal/external awareness of our RAP Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness amongst all staff across the organisation about our RAP commitments. March 2017 CEO / GM PA&C / Manager CR Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness with external partners/stakeholders about our RAP commitments. Develop and implement a plan to engage and inform key internal stakeholders of their responsibilities within our RAP. Engage our senior leaders in the delivery of RAP outcomes. 8
RESPECT Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility 5. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development 6. Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week 7. Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols 8. Internally promote and commemorate other events of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Develop a business case for increasing awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements within our organisation. Capture data and measure our staff s current level of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievement. Develop an internal cross-cultural / cultural awareness training program. Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff of the meaning of NAIDOC Week which includes information about the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting community events in our local area. Encourage our Working Group participates in an external NAIDOC Week event. Explore who the Traditional Owners are of the lands and waters in our local area. Scope and develop a list of local Traditional Owners of the lands and waters within our organisation s sphere of influence. Develop Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols. Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness and understanding of the meaning and significance behind Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols (including any local cultural protocols). Promote and commemorate Sorry Day. Communicate and encourage staff to use Reconciliation Australia s Share Our Pride online tool to all staff. Promote and commemorate Australia Day/Invasion Day. 9 April 2017 July 2017 May 2017 26 May 2017 April 2017 26 Jan 2018 GM PA&C / GM Northern Operations / Manager CR Manager CR Manager CR Manager CR
OPPORTUNITIES Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility 9. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment Develop procedures for encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation. Develop an Indigenous Employment Strategy & Implementation Plan. Encourage current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff/board members to participate in future employment and development opportunities. March 2017 October 2017 Head Human Resources (HR) / Manager CR Investigate an internal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentoring network. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment pathways (e.g. traineeships or internships). 10. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity Develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses. Develop an understanding of the mutual benefits of procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses relying on tools such as the report The Sleeping Giant. June 2017 Manager CR / Manager Facilities & Logistics Develop procedures for encouraging procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses. 11. Investigate opportunities for better education and training outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander Peoples. Support scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. October 2017 Head HR / Manager CR 10
TRACKING AND PROGRESS Action Targets Timeline Responsibility 12. Build support for the RAP Define resource needs for RAP development and implementation. March 2017 GM PA&C / Manager Define systems and capability needs to track, measure and report CR on RAP activities. Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire and submit to Reconciliation Australia. 30 September 2017 13. Review and Refresh RAP Submit draft Reflect RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal review and endorsement. Dec 2016 GM PA&C / Manager CR Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements. July 2017 CONTACT DETAILS Ms Maria Lovison CareFlight Community Relations Manager Tel: 08 8928 9777 Email: maria.lovison@careflight.org Web: http://careflight.org 11
ARTWORK About the artist: The artwork used throughout this document was painted by Joanne Nasir. Joanne is a well-known and highly sought after artist. Joanne has traditional connection to the Garrawa and Djugan language groups. Story associated with the artwork: Travel for Care The painting is of the Artist's Grandmother from Borroloola Songline the Nygabaya or Spirit People Dreaming. The painting illustrates the people of varying ages, genders and colours represented by the oval shapes. The blue symbolises the sky and the yellow strips symbolise the travel of CareFlight. The blue and white dots represent the care and healing. 12