Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions that are regularly asked about health equity and health equality, and what Metro North are trying to achieve with the Metro North Health Equity Strategy.
The Metro North Health Equity Strategy 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.
Making Tracks Together – Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equity Framework details the policy settings and strategic directions for Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) to develop and implement new Health Equity Strategies as required by the Health Legislation Amendment Act 2020 and the Hospital and Health Boards Regulation 2012.
A commitment to health equity requires reform, change and improvement across the entire health system—it can’t be a continuation of the status quo or business as usual. Now is the time to be bold and brave because all parts of the health system need, can and should do better.
Metro North Health staff, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners, Native Title holders, Elders and consumers, The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services, other Government, community and primary care organisations within the Metro North area.
In addition, the development and implementation stakeholders are Health and Wellbeing Queensland, The Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Officer (CATSIHO) and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC).
Queensland has until 2031 to Close the Gap and achieve life expectancy parity with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In order to accelerate effort and engage all aspects of the health system and broader community, Queensland Health has commenced an ambitious First Nations health equity reform agenda, underpinned by the most progressive legislation in Australia to deliver locally co-designed, co-owned and co-implemented First Nations Health Equity Strategies.
The commencement of the new Hospital and Health Boards (Health Equity Strategies) Amendment Regulation 2021 on 30 April has substantially changed the legal framework guiding the public health system in Queensland by prioritising First Nations health equity.
The new legislative amendments provide the authority to redesign and reshape the way health systems deliver service in partnership with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations, and other key stakeholders.
The Executive Director, Metro North Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Executive Director, Strategy Planning, Assets and Infrastructure will be the joint Executive project sponsors for this Strategy. The final Strategy will be approved by the Metro North Health Board.
Contact the Health Equity Program by phoning (07) 3170 4446 or email HealthEquityMNH@health.qld.gov.au
Join the conversation #ourhealthourway #forcommunity via the Better Together Health Van
Visit the Better Together Health Van Facebook Page
Contact us
Health Equity Program
Phone: (07) 3170 4446
HealthEquityMNH@health.qld.gov.au
Visit our Facebook Page
Join the conversation #ourhealthourway #forcommunity via the Better Together Health Van Facebook page
“I want to reinforce our commitment to strengthening relationships, listening to, and learning from the community we serve, and working towards health equity in true co-design, at all stages of health care services development and planning to ensure we are providing high-quality person centred care that is culturally responsive, empowers self-care and choice, and is designed to improve health and wellbeing.”
“If we get this right for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we’ll get it right for every patient, every community member that comes into our health service.”
“Health Equity for me, my family and community is about making sure that we’re able to access services without fear.”
“Health Equity is not just for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it’s for non-Indigenous people to understand what we go through as well.”
“With this journey now, we need to keep on doing. It’s not moving as quickly as it should be, but we are getting there.”
“We can’t do things alone. From your doctors, your surgeons, your medical staff, all the team – we’ve got to be involved.”
“I am proud of who I am and that I’m an Elder in the local community. Because of my life experiences I know of the changes within the health services, especially where mob are concerned. The health eq4uity journey is exciting. Being an Elder I expect the respect that I deserve and am always willing to give advice when and where it is needed.”