Reconciliation Action Plan

St John of God Health Care’s Vision and Mission urges us to commit wholeheartedly to the work of reconciliation. Our Value of Respect permeates our whole attitude to health care and serves as a foundation for our reconciliation efforts which calls us to value the unique dignity of every person.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that requires commitment, learning and meaningful action. It is strengthened through respectful relationships, cultural understanding and a shared responsibility to create positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

St John of God Health Care is proud to launch its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2026–2028, building on the progress achieved through the organisation’s previous Innovate RAP 2024-2026. Over recent years, important steps have been taken to strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, expand cultural learning opportunities, support Aboriginal employment initiatives, enhance culturally safe environments and improve the delivery of culturally responsive care.

The new RAP continues this momentum and sets a clear direction for the next three years, focusing on four key priorities:

  • Cultural Safety and Respect
  • Relationships
  • Aboriginal Employment
  • Health Care Access and Equity.

Through these focus areas, the organisation aims to further embed reconciliation into everyday practice and contribute to Closing the Gap for better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

All caregivers are encouraged to explore the new RAP and consider how you will support reconciliation through local initiatives, partnerships and actions across hospitals, services and communities. Together, meaningful change can continue to be achieved through the care we provide, the respect we show and the relationships we build every day.

Click on the link or image to see our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026-2028.

 

National RAP Working Group

The St John of God Health Care National RAP Working Group was established in 2021 as a deliverable of our previous RAPs. The group has maintained a membership of approximately 30 people and meets quarterly. The National RAP Working Group is Chaired by the Chief Mission Integration Officer and includes Aboriginal caregivers and community representatives such as state reconciliation bodies.

The governance structure of our Innovate RAP consists of the National RAP Working Group, comprising representatives from the hospitals and services’ local reconciliation committees. The purpose of these local reconciliation committees is to ensure that relevant initiatives from the organisation’s Innovate RAP are used to inform local RAP Implementation Plans for which the hospital/service takes accountability. The local reconciliation committees also meet at least four times per year. Each member of the local reconciliation committees and National RAP Working Group will serve as our organisational RAP Champions.

National RAP Working Group Membership

  • Chief Mission Integration Officer (Executive Sponsor and Chair)
  • Local Site RAP Champions (representing each SJGHC hospital and service)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander caregiver representatives
  • Subject matter experts in specialty areas to support and resource RAP objectives:
  • Aboriginal Health and Liaison Services
  • Aboriginal Cultural Advisory Services including reconciliation peak body representatives
  • Patient Experience and Clinical Excellence
  • Procurement
  • Learning and Organisational Development
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Communications and Public Relations
  • Mission Integration

Our history

Through our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, we will continue to build upon our organisation’s rich heritage of engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Sisters of St John of God, the founders of St John of God Health Care, have a long history of serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in the remote Kimberley and Goldfields regions of Western Australia.
St John of God Health Care is inspired to build upon this great heritage and further our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations with effective partnerships which are mutually beneficial.

Previous Reconciliation Action Plans

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