Cultural diversity
Metro North believes that…
All people from all communities living in the Metro North catchment should have access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place to ensure they have the best possible health and wellbeing. We are committed to ensuring that our patients, families, carers and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse and asylum seeker backgrounds are provided with culturally safe and respectful services.
We are dedicated to improving the health and lives of people with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service works across five public hospitals, various community health centres, residential care facilities and mobile and outreach teams. The service’s goal is to make Metro North Hospital and Health Service a national health leader in the delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services that are culturally appropriate and culturally safe.
Metro North Hospital and Health Service is Australia’s largest and most diverse public hospital and health service, with over 30% of people in Brisbane North not born in Australia and 20.5% of people speaking a language other than English at home.
By offering targeted services that meet the needs of our communities, we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of all culturally and linguistically diverse people in our region. This includes:
- Providing free interpreting services and for people who would prefer to use a language other than English when accessing health care
- A range of translated resources and fact sheets
- Multicultural coordinators and nurse navigators available in some services
For more information on the above and other services offered within each Metro North facility, go to the facility links at the right-hand side of the page.
In accordance with the Queensland Health Directive on Fees and Charges for Health Care Services (QH-HSD-045:2016), Metro North will ensure there are no costs directly charged to Medicare-ineligible asylum seekers for public health services.
The Directive also states that costs should be indirectly recovered from a third party (such as the International health and Medical Services and Status Resolution Support Service Providers – Red Cross, Access Community Services and MDA), with the service provider arranging this.
You can access more information including translated fact sheets about accessing public healthcare in Queensland.
Human Rights
Promoting our ongoing commitment to respect, protect and promote human rights for everyone, everywhere, every day.
My Healthcare Rights
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights explains the rights that apply to all people in all healthcare settings.
The My Healthcare Rights Poster translates the key points in 18 languages for easy reference.
For detailed explanation of Healthcare Rights in translated languages, visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare website.
Welcome to hospital
To help you stay safe and comfortable, watch this video and learn what to expect.
To find out more about the services offered within each Metro North facility or service.
Information for multicultural communities about COVID-19 is available and on also the Queensland Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) internet page.
