First Nations Health

Working towards equitable healthcare for First Nations women, and supporting our First Nations trainees and members.
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Working towards equitable healthcare

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters and communities across Australia, on which our members live and work, and to their Elders, past, present and future.

We are committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through increasing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce (members, trainees and staff), teaching culturally appropriate obstetric and gynaecological care, and the review and implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

We recognise the vast inequities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their communities in Australia’s healthcare system, and we recognise there is always more work to do to bridge this gap.

Advocating for Indigenous doctors and patients

Each year, the College makes submissions to various governing bodies to advocate for meaningful policy change towards equitable access to women’s health services for First Nations healthcare consumers, and for the doctors who support them.

Our equity journey

Our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is a key objective in our strategic plan, and guides our journey forwards.

Reconciliation Action Plan

RANZCOG’s vision for reconciliation is one where First Nations peoples and communities are respected, valued, and have equitable access to healthcare, opportunities, and resources, recognising that reconciliation is an ongoing and shared journey that requires a sustained effort and commitment from all College members, trainees and staff.

Selection into training support

I’ve received an invitation for an interview as part of the selection process to enter the FRANZCOG training program. Can I get some mentoring or help to prepare?

Absolutely.

1. Reach out

As soon as you’ve received your interview invite from RANZCOG, please get in contact with us. There’s about one month between the interview invite and interview so we would like to coordinate support and mentoring well in advance of the interview date.

Our First Nations Advisor, Ngalnya Atkinson will be able to connect you with a mentor(s) as well as organise a mentoring session either for you individually or with other First Nations trainees who will also be interviewing. Email the team at firstnations@ranzcog.edu.au

For a full list of dates relating to selection into the FRANZCOG training program please visit Fellowship of RANZCOG.

2. Mentoring/Support session

Facilitated in a culturally safe space by experienced First Nations members, trainees and allies, a mentoring session, a few weeks to a week prior to your selection interview, will be held to talk you through the general interview process and answer any questions you may have. A practice interview can also be organised to help you prepare.

If you have any general questions about mentoring and support sessions, please get in touch with us. We’d be happy to help and explain the process in more detail.

If you have any questions about the FRANZCOG Selection into training process, please contact trainee_selection@ranzcog.edu.au

Financial support

How can I apply for financial assistance from the College?

The College applied to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHA) for Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) funding for the period 2022–2025, to be able to provide an allocation of financial support to our First Nations trainees.

Funding is subject to successful application of funding each year, and we are pleased to be able to provide some support for 2023–2024.

1. Call us

Give as a call or send us an email. Our First Nations Advisor, Ngalnya Atkinson will be happy to chat and help you. Call the College on (03) 9417 1699 and or email us at firstnations@ranzcog.edu.au.

Once we’ve had a chat about what you need and the right information, we will liaise with our Finance team to see whether we have the funds available to assist you.

2. What's next

Once we’ve had a chat about what you need and the right information, we will liaise with our Finance team to see whether we have the funds available to assist you.

Grants and scholarships

One of the five parameters of the College’s STP Funding Agreement is specifically related to enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes, through increasing opportunities and training experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people either seeking to become medical specialists, or who are already on the specialist medical training pathway.

The STP Operational Framework outlines the College’s commitment to identify, attract and support opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under the program. Through these funding and support opportunities, we aim to address the health disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people within Australia.

Our current STP projects

  • Development and release of revised Cultural Competency online learning modules for all members.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee scholarships.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency workshops for all members.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee pathway.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trainee Scholarship

Are you an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist trainee, prevocational doctor or medical student?

Find out how you can apply for a scholarship to attend RANZCOG scientific meetings.

First Nation’s Health news

Contact us

For more information about our First Nations projects, Reconciliation Action Plan, or to get involved, please contact the Diversity and Belonging team.

Email: firstnations@ranzcog.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9417 1699