Claims misrepresent hospital's Indigenous ED policy

Claims Misrepresent Hospital's Indigenous ED Policy

St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne prioritises Indigenous patients only within less urgent treatment categories, not in severe or life-threatening cases. The policy ensures Indigenous people receive priority over non-Indigenous patients only when their medical conditions are similarly less urgent.

Clarification of Policy

Contrary to some social media claims, St Vincent's Hospital does not prioritise Indigenous patients above all others regardless of medical need. The policy applies exclusively to cases that are not urgent or life-threatening.

"St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne's emergency department prioritises Indigenous patients in less urgent treatment categories over non-Indigenous patients in the same categories, but the policy does not apply to patients in urgent, severe or life-threatening categories."

Social Media Misrepresentations

One post claimed: "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 stated: "The stench of racism can be smelt in Victoria now," referencing the state's Indigenous treaty.
A different post linked the hospital triage policy directly to Victoria's recently passed Indigenous treaty bill.

Context of Claims

These misleading assertions coincided with the week that Victoria’s parliament passed a landmark Indigenous treaty bill, which may have influenced the nature and timing of these social media posts.

Author's summary: St Vincent's Hospital's emergency triage policy prioritises Indigenous patients only within non-urgent categories, refuting social media claims that race overrides medical severity.

Australian Associated Press — 2025-11-10