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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

We are dedicated to improving the health and lives of people with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.

We achieve this through targeted health care services, education programs and research led by specialist teams in Metro South Health.

On National Close the Gap Day 2017 Metro South Health produced a Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation (PDF, 1.62 MB), which outlines our aims to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to deliver health services which are capable, respectful and responsive to their needs.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus is a serious sickness that can affect everybody. For most people, they will only develop mild illness and recovery easily, but others may develop severe sickness that affects the lungs.People with weaker immune systems are more likely to get seriously ill. This puts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease) at risk.

Metro South Health is working closely with key stakeholders across the community to ensure that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have access to current, culturally appropriate and localised information.

This page contains information to help you protect yourself, your family and community.

We encourage all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to take care in social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene to protect your family and community from COVID-19.

Watch our Hand washing video for more information.

For more information visit:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordination Team

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordination Team provide strategic advice and leadership across Metro South Health.

We ensure the delivery of quality, coordinated health strategies, programs and services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Our work includes:

  • Enabling Metro South Health services to increase health care access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and improve their health.
  • Analysing service data to identify and develop strategies that can improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Developing and maintaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health networks within Metro South Health and across external organisations.
  • Developing resources and delivering capability training so that Increase competence of Metro South Health services can provide culturally responsive and safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Enabling Metro South services and facilities to meet Closing the Gap targets and accreditation standards.
  • Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations to promote healthy eating in the community and workplaces.

Closing the Gap Plan

Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care

At the forefront of indigenous healthcare in our region is the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.

The centre, based at Inala, provides:

  • A medical clinic staffed by GPs, nurses, Aboriginal and allied health workers.
  • Local outreach and fly-in, fly-out medical services.
  • Ongoing research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
  • Community engagement and education programs.

For contact information and more details, please see the centre’s own website.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources

Last updated 3 November 2021
Last reviewed 7 June 2021