Claims Misrepresent Indigenous Emergency Department Policy at St Vincent's Hospital
Contrary to social media claims, St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne prioritises Indigenous patients only within less urgent emergency categories, not all cases.
Emergency Department Policy Details
The hospital’s emergency department gives priority to Indigenous patients over non-Indigenous patients only when both groups fall into less urgent treatment categories. This policy explicitly excludes those with severe, urgent, or life-threatening conditions, who are prioritised based on medical need regardless of race.
Social Media Misinformation
- Some posts claim Indigenous patients are prioritised over all others regardless of severity, which is incorrect.
- These claims emerged alongside Victoria's parliament passing a landmark Indigenous treaty bill.
- One post states:
"Under this policy, if you are Aboriginal and present at an Emergency Department, you will be prioritised based on race first rather than the severity of your health condition or immediate medical need."
- Another post says:
"The stench of racism can be smelt in Victoria now,"
referencing the state’s treaty. - A further post links the hospital’s triage instructions directly to the newly passed Indigenous treaty.
Summary
St Vincent's Hospital clarifies its triage policy does not compromise urgent care prioritisation based on medical severity despite misleading social media claims.
Author's summary: Misleading social media posts falsely claim St Vincent’s Hospital prioritises Indigenous patients over urgent cases, while the policy focuses only on less critical admissions.