Claims misrepresent hospital's Indigenous ED policy

Claims Misrepresent St Vincent's Hospital Indigenous ED Policy

St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne prioritises Indigenous patients only in less urgent treatment categories, not in severe or life-threatening cases.

Clarification of Hospital Policy

Contrary to social media claims, the hospital does not prioritise Indigenous patients over all others regardless of medical urgency. The policy applies solely to patients with less urgent admissions.

Details of the Triage Policy

Indigenous patients in less urgent categories receive prioritised treatment over non-Indigenous patients in the same category.
Urgent, severe, or life-threatening cases are not affected by this policy and receive care based on medical need.

Social Media Claims

“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.”

“The stench of racism can be smelt in Victoria now.”

“The recent hospital triage instruction where aboriginal people were given priority access over all other patients tells everything you need to know.”

Some posts also linked this policy to Victoria’s recently passed Indigenous treaty bill, despite no direct official connection.

Context

These claims surfaced the same week Victoria’s parliament passed a landmark Indigenous treaty bill.

Author’s summary: Misleading social media posts falsely claim the hospital prioritises Indigenous patients over critical cases, while the policy only affects less urgent admissions to support equitable care.

Australian Associated Press — 2025-11-10

Claims Misrepresent St Vincent's Hospital Indigenous ED Policy

Clarification of Hospital Policy

Details of the Triage Policy

Social Media Claims

Context

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