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Reconciliation
Action Plan
2015-2018
Aspen Medical
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Reconciliation Action Plan
Reconciliation and Aspen Medical
Introduction
This is Aspen Medical’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). As a
privately-owned medical solutions-based company, we provide immediate
healthcare services to remote areas and/or regions of high demand. We
have engaged in a variety of projects and programs that have funded
research into key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and
delivered primary healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
This RAP represents our plan to move to a new stage in our engagement with Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander health and more broadly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples. We aspire to engage, partner and work with Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples in a meaningful way to deliver improved health outcomes and
employment, training and business outcomes.
Aspen grew out of a need to provide the highest quality healthcare in areas of high
demand. A key feature of Aspen operations is our ability to operate in areas where
medical services are either at a premium or non-existent. We are committed to making
profound, practical contributions to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
outcomes as contained within the Council of Australian Government’s Close the Gap
agenda. We have developed partnerships with remote health services and organisations
throughout Australia. We have built on these relationships and experiences and will
apply our expertise to deliver a set of meaningful and achievable outcomes in this RAP.
It is widely understood that reconciliation involves learning about culture and
developing respect for that culture and embracing differences so we can move forward
together. I will be encouraging all employees of Aspen to take practical steps to improve
our knowledge and observance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,
protocols and histories.
Aspen has taken its first steps. We envisage this RAP will be a sound business initiative
and a worthy journey for us all to take.
Glenn Keys
Executive Director
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Aspen Medical
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Reconciliation Action Plan
Our vision for
reconciliation
Aspen Medical will effectively provide
tangible and practical examples of the
principles of reconciliation through the
provision of healthcare. We will seek to form
positive relationships through partnerships
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples that develop, nurture and harness
real potential in our healthcare business.
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our business
Aspen Medical provides a comprehensive suite of medical
and environmental health services to support operations
in remote and austere environments as well as in
metropolitan areas.
Our expertise lies in understanding the requirements of our clients and developing
a cost-effective solution for them. We provide comprehensive health services
delivery solutions, ensuring our clients are informed and well positioned to make
the best decision for their communities and their organisations.
We employ over 2,000 people with 11 team members identifying
as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. We have offices in Canberra, Brisbane,
Melbourne, Darwin, Alice Springs, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Townsville, Cairns
and Perth as well as overseas.
We provide tailored health solutions with unique medical services,
that may include:
• personnel
• medical equipment supply and maintenance
• medical facilities
• expert environmental and occupational consultation
• aero-medical evacuation services
• allied health, dental and surgical services
• patient management practices
• legislative and insurance requirements
• training
• consultancy
• logistics support.
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We also provide medical facilities and equipment, that may include:
• creation of purpose-built medical facilities
• provision of mobile and relocatable medical facilities
• design and fit-out of medical facilities
• operations and maintenance of medical facilities
• all necessary medical and healthcare equipment, including maintenance and calibration
• all ambulance system design and establishment services and then operating the service
• arranging the transport and installation of mobile medical facilities.
Office locations
Cairns
Townsville
Darwin
Brisbane
Alice Springs
Newcastle
Perth
Sydney
Adelaide
Canberra
No. of sites per State
ACT
8
NSW
106
QLD
58
SA
27
WA
34
VIC
46
TAS
8
NT
117
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our RAP
Aspen Medical decided to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan
(RAP) to provide a systematic and considered approach to its
engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
and communities.
Over the years we have engaged in a variety of projects and programs that have funded
research into key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and delivered primary
healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. However, we have
decided to enhance our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and
more broadly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We aspire to engage,
partner and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a meaningful way
to deliver improved health outcomes and employment, training and business outcomes.
This will enable us to respond more effectively to the requirements of the organisations
we seek to partner with and provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities.
The RAP was developed in a two-phase process. Initially we engaged an Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander business, Ochre Business Consultants led by Ms Toni Ah
Sam, to engage and consult with the company's Executive and senior team to build an
understanding of what a RAP involves and to generate thinking about possible concepts
and opportunities the RAP could include. Ms Ah Sam then led a workshop with this group
to identify the aspirations and concrete ideas that could be incorporated into the RAP. A
key part of the process was Ms Ah Sam’s ability to lead the group through a process that
generated a heightened perception of the opportunities and linkages that flowed from
a more strategic approach to engagement that focussed on business and employment
opportunities.
Subsequently a working group refined the RAP led by Ms Toni Ah Sam and including
Mr Craig Fitzgerald, Director – Corporate Social Responsibility and Mr Philip Roberts,
General Manager of Remote Area Health Corps, to a working document for consideration
and input from Reconciliation Australia. Mr Glenn Keys, Executive Director of Aspen
Medical, actively supervised this process with a focus on achieving substantive goals.
Finally, the working group broadened its membership to interested staff members and
presented the draft document to the entire team to gain input, feedback and ultimately
buy-in to the RAP. We consider this buy-in from all parts of the company as essential to the
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success of the RAP and the achievement of meaningful outcomes. Mr Craig Fitzgerald and
Mr Philip Roberts will champion the RAP internally along with members of the working
group across the entire Aspen Medical Group.
The journey towards our RAP
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
• With the establishment of Aspen Medical subsidiary, Remote Area Health Corps, and
the provision of health professionals across the Northern Territory, we became
acutely aware of the challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
face, particularly around health.
• The owners of Aspen Medical formed the Aspen Foundation. To date, the Foundation
has solely focussed on the eradication of diseases prevalent in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities. Since 2009 the Foundation has funded
organisations working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities working
to improve hygiene education and also to eradicate trachoma and scabies.
• The Aspen Foundation commenced its support of those organisations targeting the
eradication of trachoma.
• RAHC achieves its 1000th placement.
• The Aspen Foundation, with the support of the Christian Blind Mission and
Melbourne University’s Indigenous Eye Health Unit, funded and developed the first
ever free online trachoma treatment module for health professionals.
• Aspen Medical engages an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, Ochre
Business Consultants, to engage and consult with the Executive and senior team of
Aspen Medical to build an understanding of what a RAP involves and generate
thinking about possible concepts and opportunities the RAP could include.
• The Aspen Foundation funds the charity Take Pride. Take Pride focusses on
delivering hygiene programs across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait.
• RAHC achieves its 2000th placement.
• The Aspen Foundation commits to supporting One Disease At A Time in their mission
to eradicate crusted scabies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
2014
• The Aspen Foundation funds a second free online eye health module for health
professionals. This module focusses on preventable blindness in Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities.
• The Aspen Foundation funds Malpa in their delivery of the Young Doctors program
in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Young Doctors is a health
leadership program which trains young people to be health ambassadors in their
communities. It is designed and run by local Elders, respected community members
and supported by health workers.
• Input sought from the entire Aspen Medical team and a draft sent to
Reconciliation Australia for input. Formal launch of the RAP.
2015
• RAHC achieves its 3000th placement.
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Aspen Foundation
The Aspen Foundation was established in 2009 as a health promotion
charity. The Foundation’s mission is to undertake life-changing
healthcare through significantly reducing or eradicating key illnesses in
the Australian community and providing education for the sustainability
of improved health practices. A key focus of the Foundation has been
to provide public health education to remote communities. Through its
healthy skin and eye programs the Foundation has set a goal of helping
to eliminate trachoma and crusted scabies in remote Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Foundation is closely aligned with the RAP as Aspen Medical is
committed to providing healthcare solutions to remote areas and
regions of high demand across Australia. For more information about
the Foundation please go to http://www.aspenfoundation.org.au.
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Remote Area
Health Corps
The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) was established in 2008 to
strengthen the delivery of primary health services in remote Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is designed to increase the
pool of health professionals available for work in remote Northern
Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by attracting
urban-based health professionals. RAHC recruits, orientates and then
provides each new-to-remote health professional with comprehensive
training and ongoing tailored support to help them to successfully
transition to remote practice. The health professionals who undertake
such work include Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, Oral and
Allied Health professionals.
RAHC collaborates closely with its stakeholders including the Aboriginal
Medical Service Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), Northern
Territory Government Department of Health and Aboriginal Medical
Services (AMS) as well as relevant training bodies to maintain the
delivery of an appropriate and responsive program.
RAHC has proven itself to be an effective model of delivering workforce
into remote communities in the Northern Territory. The program has
delivered more than 2,700 placements since December 2008 and
has developed a pool of over 700 health professionals who have
successfully made the transition to remote practice. An important part
of the program is that on their return to their urban home location,
health professionals are more attuned to the needs and cultures of the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples they have served. This
represents practical reconciliation in action.
For more information about RAHC please go to http://www.rahc.com.au.
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Relationships
Aspen Medical is committed to building strong, enduring
relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
through close partnership and collaboration as an integral part of
its healthcare services.
Focus area
Making significant contributions to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This
commitment extends to engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and
open communication/consultation with key stakeholders.
ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMELINE
TARGET
1. R AP working group
Executive Director
July 2015
• A RAP Working Group is formed and
established to monitor
operational to support the development of
development of the RAP
our RAP, comprising Aboriginal and Torres
including implementation,
Strait Islander people and other Australians.
tracking and reporting.
• Bi-monthly meetings are held to monitor
RAP progress.
2. Subject Matter Expert Panel
established which includes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander and non-Indigenous
experts in the health sector
both internal and external to
Aspen Medical.
Medical Director
November 2015
• Meet twice per year to monitor the progress
on the actions coming out of the RAP.
• The panel members consist of reputable
professionals in the healthcare industry. The
panel will also seek expressions of interest
and/or approach various individuals directly
to see if they wish to make a contribution.
• Terms of reference to be established to
outline roles and responsibilities of those on
the panel.
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ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
3. S
trengthen existing
TIMELINE
TARGET
• Establish a database of all current local
General Manager,
September
relationships and explore
RAHC and other
2015
new and appropriate
General Managers
relationships with the
where required
contacts including other Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander NGOs and corporate bodies.
• Ensure that the local contact database is
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
available to all Aspen Medical staff on the
Islander communities,
internal IT system.
organisations, business and
• Invite local Aboriginal and Torres Strait
corporate Australia where
Aspen Medical offices are
Islander peoples in the healthcare
located across Australia.
industry to comment on current RAP and
associated plans.
• Develop a commitment statement to work in
partnership with key Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander groups, organisations and
businesses.
• Publish the commitment statement on the
Aspen Medical and RAHC websites.
4. As part of the ongoing
commitment and
Director,
May 2015
Marketing
• Starting in 2015, organise one event
across each Aspen Medical location to
celebrate NRW.
relationship building with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
• Encourage all staff to participate in external
Islander communities, Aspen
NRW events.
Medical will participate
• Aspen Medical to host an event to highlight
in National Reconciliation
the work it does through RAHC.
Week (NRW) events.
• Encourage all RAHC staff to participate at
a local level in Darwin and/or Alice Springs
each year.
5. Invest and participate in
opportunities to engage in
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander days of significance
that support and promote
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Director,
Marketing
July 2015
• Encourage all staff to organise and participate
in one event each year.
• Encourage RAHC to participate at a local event
in both and/or either Darwin and Alice Springs
each year.
Islander cultures.
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Respect
Aspen Medical acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the First Nations of Australia. We value and respect
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as an important part of
the fabric of Australia. As an organisation we stand by our commitment
to earn and demonstrate mutual respect.
Focus area
Continuing the work Aspen has started.
ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMELINE
TARGET
1. Consult with local Aboriginal
General Manager,
September 2015
• Develop protocols and educate all staff via
and Torres Strait Islander
RAHC
internal IT systems on why and how Welcome
communities to develop and
to Country and Acknowledgement to Country
understand the importance
protocols are practiced.
of Welcome to Country and
• Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement
Acknowledgment of Country
to Country incorporated into all significant
protocols.
2. Provide ongoing cultural
awareness training for all
staff as a commitment to
promote awareness of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures.
events and meetings.
General Manager,
RAHC
October 2015
• Amend current Induction programs to include
cultural awareness training.
• Aspen Medical to identify local Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander cultural consultants to
deliver awareness training at a local level.
• Develop a database of preferred Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander cultural consultants
to supply cultural awareness training
throughout Australia.
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ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMELINE
TARGET
3. P
rovide opportunities for
Director, CSR
September 2015
• Identify through charity partners how Aspen
staff to experience cultural
events around Australia
through volunteering.
Medical staff can volunteer to assist at
Director,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural
Marketing
events, conference and festivals throughout
Australia.
4. Encourage and support
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander employees
to attend cultural events
and community activities
throughout NAIDOC
(National Aboriginal and
Islander Day of Observance
Committee) Week events.
Director,
Marketing
July 2015
• Encourage RAHC to participate at a local event
in both and/or either Darwin and Alice Springs
each year.
• Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander employees to participate
in local NAIDOC Week events.
• Aspen Medical will participate in at least one
event and promote this through their annual
calendar to inform all staff about National
Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
• Each Aspen Medical office participates or
hosts a local event that is appropriate to
their location and existing relationships with
local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities.
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Opportunities
Aspen Medical is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve their access to business
and employment opportunities with our company.
Focus area
Aspen Medical is committed to developing healthcare solutions in partnership with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples around Australia. This will be achieved by offering mutually beneficial
opportunities through joint ventures and strategic alliances with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander businesses across Australia.
ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMELINE
TARGET
1. Investigate opportunities
Director, CSR
September 2015
• Establish, develop and implement an Aboriginal
within Aspen Medical
to increase Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander
Director, Human
Resources
employment and training
General Managers
opportunities in both the
of Operations
clinical and non-clinical
operations of the business.
and Torres Strait Islander Employment and
Training Strategy. This strategy will factor in
recruitment, career pathways, professional
development and retention.
• Investigate and identify potential opportunities
to sponsor and/or offer full scholarships to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
professionals such as doctors, paramedics,
registered nurses and dental nurses.
• Offer a minimum of two cadetships and/or
traineeships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples for non-clinical positions such
as: Accountants, Human Resources, Marketing
and other administrative positions.
• Develop and implement a mentoring program to
ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
and/or students receive support throughout
their training, studies and/or employment with
Aspen Medical.
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ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMELINE
TARGET
2. I nvestigate and identify
General Manager,
August 2015
• Identify how to become a member of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
RAHC
Supply Nation.
Islander owned businesses
• Develop a database of potential Aboriginal
that could be engaged as
and Torres Strait Islander businesses that
suppliers for Aspen Medical.
Aspen Medical endorses as suppliers of
different services and products.
• Ensure that the database is available to all
staff via the internal IT systems.
• Develop and implement an Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Business Strategy which
will identify potential businesses to provide
products and services to Aspen Medical.
3. I nvestigate appropriate
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander and other
organisations to develop
Director, CSR
December 2015
• Develop a list identifying existing and
potential healthcare organisations, registered
General Managers
training organisations, professional health
of Operations
associations with the purpose of entering into
high level agreements with.
stronger partnerships,
strategic alliances and
agreements with the
purpose of engaging with
local communities.
4. Investigate opportunities
for collaboration with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander businesses for
Director, CSR
General Managers
of Operations
December 2015
• Develop a document that details potential
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
businesses.
mutual benefit.
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Aspen Medical
Reconciliation Action Plan
Tracking progress
and reporting
ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMELINE
TARGET
1. R
eport achievements,
Director, CSR
June 2016
• RAP progress is reported each year in the RAP
Impact Measurement Questionnaire.
challenges and learnings
to Reconciliation Australia
• RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire
for inclusion in the Annual
is provided to Reconciliation Australia by
Impact Measurement Report.
2. Monitor and evaluate the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
September each year.
Director, Human
June 2016
Resources
• Provide progress report to Executive two
yearly for their review.
Islander Employment and
• Progress reports to Subject Matter Expert
Training Strategy.
Panel on for their feedback on Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.
1. Monitor and evaluate the
Director, CSR
December 2016
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Business Strategy.
• Provide progress report to Executive every
two years for their review.
• Progress reports to Subject Matter Expert
Panel on for their feedback on Indigenous
Employment Strategy.
Contact details
Craig Fitzgerald
Director – Corporate Social Responsibility
+61 (0)2 6203 9500
[email protected]
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CONTACT
FOLLOW
DISCOVER
2 King Street
Deakin, ACT 2600
Australia
CRE8IVE 13706 0814
Phone +61 (0)2 6203 9500