South East Queensland Health Partners Unite to Achieve First Nations Health Equity by 2031

On November 22, 2021, a historic Statement of Commitment was signed by key health partners in South East Queensland, marking the beginning of a transformative collaboration aimed at achieving First Nations Health Equity in the region by 2031. This initiative brings together a diverse array of health organisations to tackle health disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

On June 4, 2024, refreshed South East Queensland First Nations Health Equity Statement of Commitment was resigned including new partners.

The partners include:

• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
• Children’s Health Queensland
• Mater Misericordiae Ltd
• Queensland Ambulance Service
• Kalwun Development Corporation
• Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
• Gold Coast Primary Health Network
• Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service
• Brisbane North Primary Health Network
• Metro North Hospital and Health Service
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Services Brisbane
• Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health
• Brisbane South Primary Health Network
• Metro South Hospital and Health Service
• West Moreton Hospital and Health Service
• West Moreton and Darling Downs Primary Health Network

Together, the partners have developed the South East Queensland First Nations Health Equity Strategy, a comprehensive and collective approach to close the health gap between First Nations people and other Queenslanders in the region, ensuring that all individuals receive the care they need in a culturally safe environment.

The six key reform areas of the South East Queensland First Nations Health Equity Strategy include:

1. Eliminating Racial Discrimination: Actively address and dismantle systemic racism within healthcare services.
2. Increasing Access: Enhance availability and accessibility of healthcare services tailored for First Nations peoples.
3. Influencing Determinants of Health: Focus on social, cultural, and economic factors impacting health outcomes.
4. Culturally Safe Care: Ensure that healthcare services are sustainable, culturally safe, and responsive to the needs of First Nations communities.
5. Collaborative Service Design: Work closely with First Nations peoples to co-design, deliver, monitor, and review health services.
6. Strengthening Workforce: Invest in and support the development of a strong First Nations health workforce.

The South East Queensland region is home to one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, with approximately 40% of Queensland’s First Nations peoples residing in the area. The commitment to health equity is a direct response to the urgent need for systemic change to ensure that First Nations peoples receive timely, appropriate and culturally competent care.

This initiative aligns with both the Queensland Government’s First Nations Health Equity Agenda and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Through the South East Queensland First Nations Health Equity Strategy, partners are committed to building upon existing service delivery partnerships to create a more accessible, connected and responsive health system.

As we embark on this important journey towards health equity, we work towards ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in South East Queensland have the opportunity to lead long, healthy lives with the support of a connected health system.