Reconciliation Action Plan

Hunter Primary Care wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land that we live and work on, and pay our respects to Elders past and present and to emerging community leaders. We acknowledge the important role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within Hunter Primary Care and the communities we work with.

Hunter Primary Care is committed to reconciliation and building strong, sustainable and mutually respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. Hunter Primary Care recognises and understands that reconciliation is the journey that the organisation must take to realise a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians stand together as equals. By focusing on improving relationships, enhancing respect and promoting opportunities, Hunter Primary Care is working to create a reconciled and equitable Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are among the oldest living cultures in the world and a vital part of Australia’s identity. It is important for Hunter Primary Care to promote and celebrate this rich history and the diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures that continue to this day.

Hunter Primary Care began a journey towards reconciliation in 2013 by signing a Statement of Commitment with Reconciliation Australia to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This commitment was to develop a RAP and report back on progress to Reconciliation Australia annually and communicate organisational intentions and actions to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the region.

Our Reflect RAP was developed for the 2013-2014 which allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of our sphere of influence, and establish the best approach to advance reconciliation. Following this, an Innovate RAP for the periods 2017-2019 and 2019-2021 was developed to outline further actions and steps we will take to contribute to a reconciled Australia. This RAP provided the framework for our organisation to realise our vision for reconciliation.

We are now at the third stage of our journey with a Stretch RAP 2022-2025 that aims to embed reconciliation initiatives into organisational strategies so they become ‘business as usual’.

As Hunter Primary Care strives towards an effective primary health care system that meets the needs of the community, the organisation recognises the importance of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hunter Primary Care recognises and respects the skills and valuable contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring to our organisation and the vital role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff play in improving the health of the communities we serve. Through the RAP and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service programs, Hunter Primary Care will be recognised as an organisation that is working towards and making a difference in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and working towards ‘Closing the Gap’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples life expectancy.