“I commit to ensuring we receive equitable health services for our families.” – Aunty Denise Proud, Aboriginal Elder

Metro North Health Launches Health Equity Starts with Me campaign

Metro North Health has unveiled a bold new campaign – Health Equity Starts with Me – to drive health equity and eliminate institutional racism across the health service.

The campaign features a commitment made by midwives, doctors, administration staff, health executives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers.

Metro North Health Chief Executive Jackie Hanson said the campaign supports efforts to put Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health front and centre to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of disease gap.

“In Queensland we now have only nine years to close the health gap and achieve life expectancy parity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Hanson said.

“For me, the simple explanation of health equity is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have the same health outcomes and healthy lives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies should be as healthy as non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies. It’s our responsibility to do the things within our control to make that possible.”

Metro North Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Executive Director Sherry Holzapfel said the Health Equity strategy, to be finalised in April 2022, is being co-designed and developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, patients, community, Elders and partnership organisations.

“Our aim is to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing 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 health equity strategy will build on the work we have started through the Better Together Health plan, such as boosting Ngarrama maternity, the Better Together Medication Access program, our Deadly Start and Indigenous Cadetship education to employment programs, and the many identified positions that have been created across our workforce,” said Mrs Holzapfel.

First Nations midwife Sonita Guidice was proud to put her hand up for the campaign and said it was her commitment to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children had the best start to life.

“I commit to ensuring our children are born health and strong,” Sonita said.

The film is now available. To learn more about Metro North’s Health Equity plans, visit the Metro North Health Equity site