Achieving cultural safety for Australia’s First Peoples: a review of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency-registered health practitioners’ Codes of Conduct and Codes of Ethics

Objective Health practitioners’ Codes of Conduct and Ethics articulate practice standards across multiple domains, including the domain cultural safety. As key tools driving individual systems reform, are integral to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is, therefore, critical that their contents specify meaningful safety as norm institutional practice. This research assessed all specific content. Methods Following release Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (Ahpra) Cultural Safety strategy 2020–25, 16 Ahpra registered practitioner Board professional were analysed by comparing content Ahpra’s new objectives. Two Conduct, Nursing Midwifery, met these The Practitioners Code partially Results Most (14 16) conflated peoples with culturally linguistically diverse (CALD) communities undermining sovereignty Australia’s First Peoples. Eleven professions had a Ethics, Physiotherapy which outlined values ethical principles commonly associated Ethics. Of 11 two (Pharmacy Psychology) articulated responsibilities separately obligations through reconciliation action plan (RAP), meeting remaining eight advocated respect culture generally rather than cultures specifically. Conclusions review identified areas improve codes professions, providing roadmap strengthen while setting clear regulatory standard ensure safe becomes norm. recommends systematic updating based on objectives in Strategy. What is known about topic? Systemic racism unsafe work environments contribute poor They also under-representation workforce, denying system, people who use it, much needed Indigenous knowledge. Creating healthcare system requires practitioners reflect own background, gain appreciation positive negative impacts individually held assumptions delivery services. Competence required therefore essential if broad, sustainable systemic change ultimately be achieved. Given practical moral competence great importance. does this paper add? A type has not been undertaken previously. establishment Strategy Group, 2018 Statement intent, 2019 strategic Reconciliation Action Plan, we each looking guidance accordance national definition. Several opportunities realise vision set out statement intent application National Law. analysis provides baseline future improvements confirms although some current have begun journey recognising importance ensuring good peoples, there broad scope change. implications practitioners? gaps provide improvement inclusion practitioners. Although it recognised alone may hearts minds, codifying clinical competency portal, requirement, engage meaningfully take responsibility organisationally.