STARS Cultural Events Working Group
National Close the Gap Day, observed each year on 17 March, brings people together to take meaningful action in support of achieving health equality for First Nations peoples.
STARS Cultural Capability Officer Tracy Grant explained that the day seeks to close the gap with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, educational and employment outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
“Closing the gap, for me, is about yarning, listening and working with both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and health services to make the healthcare journey from home to hospital and/or health service simple and safe,” Tracy said.
Tracy recently presented at Queensland Health’s Clinical Excellence Showcase about STARS’s commitment to creating a culturally safe and inclusive health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and the community.
“Staff from all walks of life, regardless of role or level, have been very supportive in working with the Indigenous Health Team to promote and offer cultural support to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients to ensure equitable health outcomes,” Tracy said.
“Cultural inclusivity is a priority at STARS, with non-Indigenous staff actively participating in the Reconciliation Action Plan and cultural events working groups, and hospital executive leaders are members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee.
“The culturally capability in STARS just keeps growing every day because we are all determined to work together to make healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people integrated, inclusive and appropriate.”
Tracy believes the key to health equity is simple: “yarn with us to learn about our culture, our story, where we come from, and work with us to make health care simple and safe”.