Embedding cultural safety in health services means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to access health services, and as a result, experience better cancer outcomes.[166] Building on Action 6.2.2 Strengthen collaboration with service providers, regulatory authorities and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer workforce to establish clear accountability for culturally safe care and compliance with national standards, a strong evidence base is required to assess and monitor the experiences, effectiveness, and appropriateness of cancer-related services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to ensure national efforts appropriately address disparities and improve cancer outcomes.

This 5-year action involves embedding the implementation of nationally consistent strategies. Such strategies could identify areas of excellence and service gaps; embed culturally safe, trauma-aware, healing-informed capabilities in the workforce development; and inform opportunities to improve patient experience across the cancer system. It is vital that these strategies are co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led where possible, and address the behaviours, attitudes, policies, structures, and environmental aspects of designing and delivering cancer-related services.

This 5-year action may include:

• aligning jurisdictional standards to develop nationally consistent standards and guidelines for cultural safety within cancer-related services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This could build on Action 5.2.3 Evaluate and extend cultural safety training programs to cancer service providers, including through community-based partnerships with priority population groups
• building on Action 6.2.2 and collaborating with regulatory authorities to monitor adherence to national standards on culturally safe cancer care
• establishing place-based communities of practice to share learning and knowledge
• ensuring multidisciplinary cancer care teams for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, Health Practitioners and Coordinators, aligned to Action 2.5.3 Ensure multidisciplinary cancer care teams for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are trauma-aware and healing-informed
• ensuring cancer service staff adhere to existing training requirements relating to culturally safe, trauma-aware, healing-informed care that also addresses the legacy of institutional stigma, racism, and discrimination in the health, education, and training sectors.

This action is addressed through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031[160] through Priority 3: Workforce, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021–2031.[133]