The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia committed to a landmark Partnership Investment Agreement on Thursday to improve the quality and safety for contemporary nursing and midwifery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The agreement will see an investment in the recruitment, development and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives.
The agreement brings together the Congress (CATSINaM) and the Board (NMBA) to support the delivery of strategies and recommendations made in the 'Getting em keeping em and growing em' report.
CATSINaM chief executive Dr Ali Drummond said the agreement formalises a "common vision" shared by both organisations.
"This Partnership Agreement is breaking new ground in terms of how we work together, with a common vision and joint initiatives to implement CATSINaM's strategy which focuses on regulation and education reform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives across Australia," Dr Drummond said.
Dr Drummond said the agreement aims to address lived experiences of Indigenous peoples in the healthcare sector.
"Those participating in the agreement acknowledge the different lived experience of Indigenous peoples, especially as racialised First Nations peoples in a colonial nation-state," he said.
"Indigenous voices can speak of the operations of colonial violence including racism and subsequently offer insights into new strategies to confronting the issues of inequity that Indigenous peoples are subjected to."
Components of the agreement include addressing systemic racism and enhancing cultural safety, as well as empowering the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives, engagement with education pathways and strengthening community.
NMBA Chair, Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey, said it was important to commit to the collaboration and co-design of what nursing and midwifery will look like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives into the future.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives are significantly under-represented in the Australian health workforce and by working with CATSINaM and other peak bodies we hope to support the increase of these numbers," Professor Casey said.
"We also hope to progress new strategies to enhance the delivery of Culturally Safe care by nurses, midwives and students for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
The NMBN said the Partnership Investment Agreement is designed to create systemic, lasting change and will enable collaboration, innovation and shared decision making to effect change.
CATSINaM and NMBA will also consider new parties that need to work in collaboration with this venture if necessary.
