Providing patients with culturally safe care

Explore some of the measures we're taking to create a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori patients and doctors.

Like all specialist medical colleges, we have an important part to play in providing all Australians and New Zealanders with culturally safe and responsive healthcare.

Dr Angus McNally (RAP Working Group member), Dr Michael Barlev (CPD Committee deputy chair) and Dr Susie Lord (RAP Working Group chair) discuss why it's important that cultural safety in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples is prioritised in our CPD program. 
We've worked in partnership with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori people, communities and organisations to develop a range of cultural competency and safety tools and training for our doctors.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

A CPD review project group has recently been established to review the college’s current CPD program and develop a new CPD framework. As part of this review, the college will work to ensure that cultural safety and a focus on heath equity are embedded within and across all three CPD categories. 

CPD requirements now include an annual cultural safety activity. Hours spent completing this activity are claimable under practice evaluation.

Cultural competency resources can be found on the ANZCA Indigneous health Iibrary guide.

ANZCA curriculum

Through the ANZCA Roles in Practice within the ANZCA curriculum, anaesthesia trainees are expected to demonstrate culturally competent care to patients, and their families.