The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has released its **2025 Health of the Nation report**, revealing that nearly one-third of general practitioners (GPs) observed racism directed at patients within the healthcare system over the past year. This troubling statistic is part of a broader survey conducted among more than 2,400 RACGP members, highlighting significant issues related to systemic racism in healthcare.
The report indicates that approximately **20% of GPs** experienced racism from patients in their practices, while around **10% reported** encountering racism from colleagues. These findings prompted a strong response from RACGP President **Dr. Michael Wright**, who emphasized that the data reflects a pervasive issue that affects both healthcare workers and patients.
“Racism in the health system is an issue that affects healthcare workers and patients alike. It is not something we can ignore, and it is certainly not something that will fix itself,” Dr. Wright stated. He asserted that the findings underline the urgent need for action and resources to combat systemic racism, particularly in general practice.
Dr. Wright outlined the detrimental impacts of racism on health, noting that it can lead to significant health consequences, such as increased stress and poorer outcomes in conditions like **cardiovascular disease**, **diabetes**, and **psychological distress**. He stated, “Racism makes people sick… No one should be at risk of discrimination when seeking healthcare, and no GP should feel unsafe in their own workplace.”
The RACGP has begun addressing these issues by implementing an **Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and health training framework** aimed at fostering culturally safe care. Nevertheless, Dr. Wright called for a more comprehensive approach to dismantling systemic racism throughout the health system. He advocated for the establishment of a taskforce to implement recommendations from the **National Anti-Racism Framework**.
“It’s time for a comprehensive response to tackling systemic racism in the health system,” he said. Dr. Wright also urged the government to allocate funding for resources that would monitor, measure, and prevent racism in primary care settings, including general practices.
“Racism is complex, multifaceted, and often invisible to many. You can’t address racism until you can measure its prevalence and understand its effects on patients and healthcare teams,” he explained. Dr. Wright highlighted that even a relatively modest investment in monitoring could yield significant insights, ultimately leading to more culturally safe healthcare environments.
The RACGP’s findings reflect a growing awareness of the need for systemic change within the healthcare sector. Dr. Wright concluded by emphasizing the importance of co-designing health policy with input from patients and healthcare providers from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds. “We need to implement meaningful reform to ensure our health system is safe for everyone in Australia,” he stated.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, addressing racism remains a critical priority. The RACGP’s report serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to engage in efforts that foster inclusivity and safety within the healthcare system.
