Claims Misrepresent Hospital's Indigenous ED Policy
St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne has been accused online of giving unconditional priority to Indigenous patients. However, these social media claims distort the hospital’s actual emergency department policy.
Policy Details
The hospital’s triage policy applies only to less urgent treatment categories. In those cases, Indigenous patients may be prioritised over non-Indigenous patients within the same category. The rule does not affect those in severe, urgent, or life-threatening condition—these patients are treated purely by medical need.
Social Media Reactions
The misinformation spread widely online following Victoria’s parliament passing a landmark Indigenous treaty bill that same week. Several posts connected the two events, fuelling controversy.
"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," one post claimed.
"The stench of racism can be smelt in Victoria now," another comment read, referring to the treaty legislation.
"The recent hospital triage instruction where Aboriginal people were given priority access over all other patients tells everything you need to know," a different user added.
Fact Check Conclusion
AAP FactCheck verified that St Vincent’s Hospital does not prioritise Indigenous patients over others regardless of medical condition. The policy only applies to non-urgent situations and aims to improve access to care for Indigenous Australians without compromising emergency response for anyone.
Author’s summary: Online claims misrepresent St Vincent’s triage policy, which applies only to minor cases and seeks fairness, not racial preference, in emergency care.