Claims Misrepresent Hospital's Indigenous ED Policy
Social media posts have falsely claimed that St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne gives Indigenous patients absolute priority over all others, regardless of medical urgency. However, the hospital's emergency department policy only applies in non-urgent cases.
Policy Clarification
According to AAP FactCheck, the hospital does not prioritise Indigenous patients in life-threatening or severe emergencies. The policy allows for prioritisation only when patients fall into the same non-urgent treatment categories, ensuring equal medical consideration for cases of similar urgency.
Controversial Reactions
The misleading claims appeared around the time Victoria’s parliament passed a significant Indigenous treaty bill, sparking debate online.
“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 reads.
“The stench of racism can be smelt in Victoria now,” another critic wrote, referencing the treaty vote.
Some posts also linked the hospital rule to the treaty itself, claiming it reflected broader government bias toward Indigenous Australians.
Independent Verification
AAP FactCheck confirmed that the hospital continues to triage all patients primarily on clinical need, with cultural factors only influencing non-critical prioritisation within equal medical categories.
Author’s summary: Online claims about St Vincent’s Hospital unfairly prioritising Indigenous patients distort the facts; the hospital’s policy applies only in less urgent cases with equal medical need.