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GPET RAP 12 months on

GPET's first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was developed and launched in October 2010. The 12-month plan has now concluded and GPET has reviewed the achievements, challenges and lessons learned over that time. Some of the achievements include:

  • The establishment of a Reconciliation Committee
  • The development and implementation of a Welcome to Country Policy
  • The development and implementation of a Naming (nomenclature) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Policy
  • 97% of staff attended cultural awareness training, surpassing the target of 75%
  • The improved quality and distribution of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training eNewsletter, Ngaaminya
  • Further promotion of the GPET Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Training Award, which assisted in the receipt of a record number of nominations
  • 3% of GPET’s workforce is of Aboriginal decent 
  • The inclusion of the GPET RAP in new GPET staff orientation.

 

Part of the review process included a staff survey, the results of which will help guide the way forward for the next RAP. The survey asked a range of questions associated with GPET’s RAP and its impact on the workplace, and reconciliation in general. The overall results of the survey were very positive.

  • Of the 53 people employed at the time, 21 (38%) completed the survey. All respondents indicated that they were aware of GPET’s RAP
  • The majority (67%) of respondents rated their understanding of Reconciliation as very good to excellent
  • Twenty (95%) respondents attended the cultural awareness training organised by GPET and rated the training as very good to excellent.
  • When asked to rate the importance of the two new policies (see above) to Reconciliation, 95% of respondents rated them as very good to excellent. The same result was indicated in relation to the importance of these policies to GPET business

When asked how GPET’s RAP influenced the respondent professionally, comments included: 

  • Making me aware of the issues and what we are doing to close the gap 
  • The nomenclature policy has particularly been helpful professionally 
  • Made me more aware of the differences and influenced what I need to consider and how to interact respectfully when relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the business context
  • Relief that GPET is taking it seriously throughout the organisation
  • It has made me more comfortable working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations.

Responses to how the RAP influenced respondents personally included: 

  • More compassion about the situation
  • Greatly influenced me personally. I have learnt so much and no longer feel so ignorant but feel that this only the first step in a journey
  • The feeling that I am able to contribute to reconciliation as one small person is a powerful feeling. It always starts with the individual.

 

The RAP is an important part of GPET’s Framework for General Practice Training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The new RAP, including targets for the next RAP are currently being developed. GPET looks forward to continuing to make a contribution to ‘Closing the Gap’ through a proactive approach to Reconciliation.