Our work towards Health Equity
Health equity
Metro North Hospital and Health Service is committed to providing equity of access to high quality health care services and building relationships based on inclusion with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities and remains committed to achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2031.
Metro North Health’s goal is to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing our health services will receive high-quality person-centered care that is culturally responsive, empowers self-care and choice, and is designed to improve health and wellbeing.
The Metro North Health Equity Strategy, to be launched in April 2022, describes our commitment to drive health equity and eliminate institutional racism across the public health system.
Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022–2025
The Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025 describes our commitment to drive health equity, eliminate institutional racism across the public health system and achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2031.
The Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025 provides this pathway for cultural change and consists of five priority areas for inclusion in our local strategy:
- Actively eliminate racial discrimination and institutional racism within the service.
- Increasing access to healthcare services.
- Delivering sustainable, culturally safe and responsive healthcare services.
- Influencing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health.
- Working with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations to design, deliver,
monitor and review health services.
Metro North Health Equity Implementation Plan 2022–2025 – DRAFT
The Health Equity Strategy for Metro North Health is now in the implementation phase. As part of the Implementation phase we have been working to develop an implementation plan for Metro North Health. This has been done in partnership with our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Elders, community, our Executive team within Metro North and external partner organisations.
As part of the implementation phase, we are now sending out our draft for 30 days of community consultation as per the Health Equity Legislation requirements.
We have attached our Metro North Health Implementation Plan draft for your feedback and welcome this through the following options:
- Complete an online survey about the draft Implementation Plan – Metro North Health Equity Implementation Plan Survey
- Provide feedback through our Yarning Hub via Have your say – Yarning Hub – Metro North Health
- Email the Health Equity team on HealthEquityMNH@health.qld.gov.au
Your feedback is valued and we appreciate you taking this health equity journey with us.
The implementation phase consultation period closes on the 26th of September 2022.
Metro North Health Equity Strategy launch video
Metro North Health has created history as the first Hospital and Health Service in the State to launch our strategy under the new amendments to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 and the Hospital and Health Boards Regulation 2012.
The strategy, launched on 4 July 2022 during NAIDOC Week, will guide our staff to ensure our hospital and health services are accessible, free from racism and discrimination and are culturally safe and responsive.
View the short video to see highlights from the launch celebration and to hear commitments from Metro North Executive staff and key stakeholders.
Metro North Health Equity
The Health Equity Starts with Me campaign was developed to support efforts to put Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health front and centre across Metro North Health.
The campaign features a commitment made by midwives, doctors, administration staff, health executives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers. The campaign raises awareness of the Metro North Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025 and ensures our hospital and health service is accessible, free from racism and discrimination, culturally safe and responsive.
In partnership with
Contact us
Health Equity Program
Phone: (07) 3139 6621 HealthEquityMNH@health.qld.gov.au
Visit our Facebook Page
Join the conversation #ourhealthourway #forcommunity via the Better Together Health Van Facebook page
"Health Equity means Opportunity and Change."
"The voices, lived experiences, and cultural authority of our people are integral to the co-design, co-ownership and co-implementation of our Health Equity Strategy."
"If we be too sensitive, we won’t fix anything."
"You have the full commitment from the Board and Metro North Leadership to co-design with Elders, community, and partners to make our hospital and health services accessible, free from racism and discrimination, culturally safe and responsive."
"Still keep fighting."
"You have to understand the patient journey. You have to understand health starts at home."