Health Equity and Access

Metro South Health is committed to improving the health of all people in our region.

The mission of the Health Equity and Access Unit (HEAU) is to ensure Metro South Health offers equitable, accessible and culturally appropriate services.

We focus on priority communities which experience poor health outcomes and difficulties getting the services they need. We achieve our aims by:

Delivering targeted clinical health services.
Delivering targeted community interventions.
Supporting Metro South services to improve access and cultural appropriateness.
Developing inclusive health policies and systems.

Our Equity and Access Framework (PDF, 623.14 KB) provides an overview of how we conduct our business.

Food and healthy eating during COVID-19

It is important to be prepared if you have to isolate yourself from others. Check out our handy guides and recipes for cooking at home during COVID-19.

Our unit is made up of the following specialist teams:

Access and Capacity-building Team

The Access and Capacity-building Team (ACT) ensures that our priority communities have equitable access to person-centred health services and culturally appropriate programs.

The ACT builds the cultural competence and capacity of health services to work with our priority communities and also empowers our communities to take steps to improve their health. We work with:

multicultural communities
people with disabilities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In partnership with Metro South Health services, community groups and non-government organisations we offer or develop:

community programs
community information resources
training and resources for health care workers
service development support
supportive health service policies
research projects.

Contact
Brooke Hutchison, Team Leader
Phone: 07 3156 9578
Email: access&capacity@health.qld.gov.au

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams

The Health Equity and Access Unit (HEAU) includes two areas dedicated to improving and promoting the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordination Team
Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Healthcare

For more information, see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Metro South Refugee Health Service

The Metro South Refugee Health Service provides specialist health care and advice for refugees and asylum seekers in our region, especially those who are newly arrived.

It also works with other community organisations and care providers.

For more information, see refugees and asylum seekers.