Jim McGowan AM, Metro North Board Chair

Health Equity – The Voice of First Nations People

One of the highlights of the last couple of years has been the development and finalisation of the Metro North Health Equity Strategy, based upon the principle that we need to listen to the stories and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the health system.

Listening to the voices of First Nations people is the necessary precursor to the co-design of actions and strategies to address the unacceptable health outcomes.

Our Health Equity Strategy requires us to engage with our First Nations partners in the health journey. It also requires us to work collaboratively with IUIH, the PHN and primary care providers.

While it is too early to report on the improvement of health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, access to our emergency department and our outpatients and other services has improved. However, improved access does not necessarily equate to improved health outcomes. We have much to do to close the gap by 2032.

The principles of listening and of co-design are relevant to the current discussion around a National Voice for First Nations people. It is interesting that we collectively accept that the voices of big business, industry groups and unions are heard in Canberra, but we debate whether our First Nations people should also be heard.

The Voice of Consumers

As I have previously written, the Board now provides a forum for consumers to meet with Board members to learn about their experiences in order to improve our models of care and clinical experiences. At our meeting on 26 April, we were privileged to talk with Margot Grach, Leonard Corby and John Manwaring who had pioneering surgery from the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute and Herston Biofabrication Institute. All spoke positively about their experiences including about the support they received from our hospitals post-surgery. Congratulations to Dr Michael Wagels, Professor Owen Ung and their teams and the nurses and allied health professionals who contributed to such positive outcomes.

We have an excellent Hospital and Health Service with dedicated and professional staff. So it is great to hear from people who are thankful for the experience, rather than what is covered in the “popular press”. We also had the pleasure of hosting staff from the Clinical Skills Development Service where we met!

As well as the regular reports of clinical and financial performance, the Board also received updates from Dr Kathryn Turner about the priorities with the Mental Health Directorate. Professor Nadine Foster detailed the activities and achievements of the STARS Education and Research Alliance. We are a health service and our research must be directed to improved models of care and the patient experience. Associate Professor Glen Kenney and Program Director Rebecca Moore also presented on the Emergency Medicine Clinical Services Plan and Medicine Clinical Stream.

Quotes

While I know Anzac Day is now past, I believe it appropriate to consider a couple of quotes about what is arguably Australia’s most important day.

“The spirit of ANZAC is the spirit of Australia: bold, courageous, and unrelenting in the face of adversity.” John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia (1996-2007).

“But Anzac stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat.” Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Governor-General of Australia (2008-2014), Governor of Queensland (2003-2008).

Regards,

Jim.