Most hospital managers attempt to decrease the length of stay (LOS) of patients. However, there are cases where this is not appropriate. Aboriginal patients for most diagnosis related groups (DRGs) present later and sicker, and require therefore a longer resuscitation/recovery period. We measured the averaged LOS for patients identifying as Aboriginal. This was below two SDs from the mean for all patients (1.7 days). We investigated and introduced a 'cultural competency course' for surgical team members, with excellent uptake from the surgeons, and significantly improved not only the LOS, but the satisfaction rates of the hospital service by the patients and healthcare practitioners.