Launching our Innovate RAP

Launching our Innovate RAP

Our second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was officially launched in August 2024 by Karen Ingram, Cultural Capability Lead.  

Our vision for reconciliation 

Marathon Health’s vision for reconciliation is grounded in the belief that First Nations people should have access to quality, safe health care. Good health outcomes should support First Nations people to reach their potential. 

This Innovate RAP extends our knowledge and learnings to make further progress towards a culturally safe organisation and further build our relationships with First Nations communities. 

Connecting to our Cultural Safety Framework 

To achieve cultural safety, we need to sustain, grow and maintain meaningful relationships with First Nations communities. We need to continuously place cultural safety at the heart of everything we do.  

Our Cultural Safety Framework is a roadmap to guide our ongoing work in the areas of service delivery and First Nations workforce development. It outlines the principles that underpin the development of our Engagement Strategy, RAP and First Nations Workforce Plan, while ensuring we meet the required Cultural Safety Quality Assurance Standards. 

Bringing our Innovate RAP to life 

We commenced work on our Innovate RAP in October 2023, with input from our Cultural Safety Governance Committee and in consultation with First Nations staff through our Yarning Channel and again at our second annual First Nations staff day – Ngumbaaydyil. Following a comprehensive review process, it was given final endorsement from Reconciliation Australia in July 2024.  

Our RAP was developed alongside our Framework’s Year Two Action Plan and will guide our reconciliation journey over the next two years, with the implementation being guided and overseen by the Cultural Governance Safety Committee. 

Now launched, we will work to implement the actions we have committed to – while meeting reporting requirements of Reconciliation Australia, who will monitor our progress. 

The Cultural Safety Governance Committee 

There are currently 14 staff from across our organisation on the Cultural Safety Governance Committee – made up of First Nations staff, our senior operations team including the Chief Operations Officer and members of our corporate teams, including our Marketing and Communications team and our Clinical Governance Unit. We meet monthly to ensure we’re working towards the successful implementation of strategies against our Cultural Safety Framework – and now, our Innovate RAP. 

Walking together to make a difference 

There are 37 Nations across our footprint where we deliver services, and we know there is no ‘one size fits all’.  

“As Cultural Capability Lead, I will be working with each program and location to seek support and advice – to ensure I am following cultural protocols for each community and that we are achieving beneficial outcomes. I’m here to support the work we do and look forward to walking with you all to make a difference.”