ACRRM strives for improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in NAIDOC Week.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) confirms its commitment to reconciliation and to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ahead of NAIDOC week.

ACRRM President Dr Ewen McPhee, says: “The College recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years and we acknowledge their continuing connection with the land.

“ACRRM remains committed to our reconciliation journey and to serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and improving health outcomes in those communities. 

 “It is evident that health inequality has by most counts, worsened over the past decade and we need to put greater effort into addressing this inequity.

“As part of this effort, the College strives to increase our numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars and ensure that our curricula provide the knowledge and skills required for all College graduates to deliver culturally appropriate medical services.

 “We are encouraged by the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctor enrolments in our training programs and by national survey data which indicates that ACRRM registrars continue to be distinguished among general practice registrars for their interest in serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

“Today, we acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and all our dedicated members working in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Dr McPhee says.