The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) recognises National Reconciliation Week and continues its commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to advance their health status.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Be Brave Make Change’ is a call for bold action to move our country towards a better and brighter future in which our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience the highest standards of health and well-being.
“ACRRM’s commitment to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve their health outcomes is embedded in our vision of having the right doctors, in the right places, with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent health care,” Dr Chalmers says.
“We recognise that rural and remote communities experience poorer health outcomes, and this is more so in communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We are calling on Australia’s new Labor Government to prioritise the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, especially those in rural and remote areas, and we will advocate to be a part of the solution."
Torres Strait Islander, ACRRM College Councillor and Senior Medical Officer Dr Regina Philip says the theme resonates with her on both a professional and personal level on the path to a career in medicine.
“The decider was realising I could continue to rant about my frustration with the failings of the health system or I could be a part of change,” Dr Philip says.
“My mother often reminded me I have been afforded opportunities she never had, and I should not waste them, so here I am trying not to waste an opportunity to change things, even just a little bit for patients in my care.”
ACRRM will continue to maintain collaborations and strong working relationships with stakeholders including the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, the Aboriginal Medical Services and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, to improve the delivery of health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“Another priority for the College is to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars training as Rural Generalists,” Dr Chalmers says.
“ACRRM’s recognition and respect for the cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities is reflected in our Reconciliation Action Plan and Compact with the Commonwealth Government.
“We acknowledge past achievements, paying tribute to the significant contribution of our founding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members who have not only contributed to the College, but also to their colleagues, profession, and communities.”
ENDS
For interviews with Dr Sarah Chalmers or further information, please contact Communications Manager Petrina Smith at p.smith@acrrm.org.au, 0414 820 847 or 1800 223 226.
ABOUT ACRRM
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is the only College in Australia entirely dedicated to training and supporting rural General Practitioners to serve rural and remote communities. For more information, visit acrrm.org.au.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Be Brave Make Change’ is a call for bold action to move our country towards a better and brighter future in which our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience the highest standards of health and well-being.
“ACRRM’s commitment to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve their health outcomes is embedded in our vision of having the right doctors, in the right places, with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent health care,” Dr Chalmers says.
“We recognise that rural and remote communities experience poorer health outcomes, and this is more so in communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We are calling on Australia’s new Labor Government to prioritise the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, especially those in rural and remote areas, and we will advocate to be a part of the solution."
Torres Strait Islander, ACRRM College Councillor and Senior Medical Officer Dr Regina Philip says the theme resonates with her on both a professional and personal level on the path to a career in medicine.
“The decider was realising I could continue to rant about my frustration with the failings of the health system or I could be a part of change,” Dr Philip says.
“My mother often reminded me I have been afforded opportunities she never had, and I should not waste them, so here I am trying not to waste an opportunity to change things, even just a little bit for patients in my care.”
ACRRM will continue to maintain collaborations and strong working relationships with stakeholders including the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, the Aboriginal Medical Services and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, to improve the delivery of health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“Another priority for the College is to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars training as Rural Generalists,” Dr Chalmers says.
“ACRRM’s recognition and respect for the cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities is reflected in our Reconciliation Action Plan and Compact with the Commonwealth Government.
“We acknowledge past achievements, paying tribute to the significant contribution of our founding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members who have not only contributed to the College, but also to their colleagues, profession, and communities.”
ENDS
For interviews with Dr Sarah Chalmers or further information, please contact Communications Manager Petrina Smith at p.smith@acrrm.org.au, 0414 820 847 or 1800 223 226.
ABOUT ACRRM
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is the only College in Australia entirely dedicated to training and supporting rural General Practitioners to serve rural and remote communities. For more information, visit acrrm.org.au.