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September 2009Paper for internal use onlyMedical CollegesMedical Colleges are responsible for the training, assessment and representation ofspecialist medical doctors throughout Australia and in some cases New Zealand.Medical Colleges have a duty to better the health of all Australians and NewZealanders through development of health and social policy and advocating for itsimplementation.PrioritiesAll Medical Colleges need to improve the representation of Indigenous Fellows andRegistrars in order to close the gap in workforce underrepresentation. In achievingthis aim, the following actions need to be a priority over the next 3-5 years: Development relationships, in the spirit of partnership with Indigenous healthleadership and organisations Development and Implementation of Indigenous health curriculum- Medical Colleges will develop and implement cultural safety, cross-culturaltraining for all Registrars- Medical Colleges will integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcontent into existing specialist medical training programs- Medical Colleges will facilitate flexibility in secondments to Indigenous trainingposts and sites Support and Development of Indigenous Fellows- Medical Colleges will develop and implement a recruitment and retention planfor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical graduates into Fellowship.This will include quotes and targets for Indigenous people.- Medical Colleges will identify and collate information regarding the numbersof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registrars and Fellows. Mentor and Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registrars- Medical Colleges will recognise the breadth and depth of community workundertaken by Registrars in support of and improvement to Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander health.- Medical Colleges will facilitate a space for mentors to be mentors- Medical Colleges will provide financial support to Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Registrars through such initiatives as scholarships, fees (subsidy orwaiver), etc. Advocacy on Closing the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthdisadvantage- Medical Colleges will develop positions statements and guidelines ensuringthe provision of high quality, culturally appropriate, safe and respectful careto Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander patients and their families.Exemplar: Medical Colleges in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthAs key partners in the Close the Gap Campaign – that includes Australia’s leading health,human rights and Aboriginal organisations – the Royal Australian College of GeneralPractitioners (RACGP) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) are leading theway in growing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registrars in training andFellows.10