First Nations health
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 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 in Australia’s healthcare system, and we recognise there is always more work to do to bridge this gap.
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.
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.
News
Committees and leadership
Your committees
RANZCOG Indigenous Network group
New group
More information coming soon
2022 MEETING DATES
Dates TBC
CONTACT: cwells@ranzcog.edu.au
COORDINATOR: Clare Wells
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Coming soon
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Chair
Dr Jared Watts
2022 MEETING DATES
24 May; future dates TBC
CONTACT: jberry@ranzcog.edu.au
COORDINATOR: Jony Berry
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Coming soon
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Committee
Chair: Dr Marilyn Clarke
Deputy Chair: Dr Kiarna Brown
2022 MEETING DATES
15 March; future dates TBC
CONTACT: jberry@ranzcog.edu.au
COORDINATOR: Jony Berry
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Coming soon
Your trainee representatives
Support for Indigenous members
Beginning your specialist training journey?
Dr Marilyn Clark, chair of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Committee, runs a private online group to support doctors who are undertaking the FRANZCOG training selection interview process.
To be included in this group, contact Jony Berry, our First Nations Health advisor: jberry@ranzcog.edu.au.
Confidential counselling
Converge is the College’s 24-hour external support service, and it is available for all trainees (FRANZCOG and DRANZCOG), SIMGs and Fellows.
Converge offer a dedicated First Nations helpline, where you can speak to experienced consultants who are either First Nations people themselves, or have undertaken specialist training in cultural awareness.
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 Colleges 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 are:
Development and release of revised Cultural Competency online learning modules for all members
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee scholarships (read about our 2022-23 recipients)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency workshops for all members
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee pathway
Funding opportunities
View all our grant and scholarship opportunities for your next research or travel career goal.
Contribute to O&G Magazine
Do you have experience working in First Nations women’s healthcare? We would love to share your story.
O&G Magazine is a fantastic print and online platform to highlight Indigenous women’s health issues and initiatives.
Email the editor if you wish to contribute a story to O&G Magazine.
Contact us
For further information contact Jony Berry, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health advisor:
Email: jberry@ranzcog.edu.au
ADDRESS
Djeembana, 1 Bowen Crescent Naarm (Melbourne), Victoria 3004, Australia.