The community joined with staff from Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) this week to recognise national Close the Gap Day focused on strong culture, strong youth.

PA Hospital Executive Director, Dr Jeremy Wellwood, acknowledged the challenges we face in the hospital environment but also reflected on the commitment we have made.

“We have the opportunity to redesign our health service in a way that sees more First Nations people employed across the system, listens to First Nations voices in the system, and supports a better integrated and coordinated system in First Nations peoples to ensure our services are equitable for all people and improve health outcomes for all.

“Improving health equity for First Nations Queenslanders is a shared goal of PA Hospital and Metro South Health as a whole,” he said.

PA Hospital has a range of long-standing programs to promote health equity across the network such as the Better Cardiac Care program and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kidney Management and Support initiative.

“This initiative is improving renal outcomes state-wide by developing strategies at every step of the patient journey, from early detection and management of chronic kidney disease in the community, referral to specialist services, renal replacement therapy, up to end-of-life care.

“The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kidney transplants continue to increase, and our relationships and partnerships are strengthening the patient journey with increased education and staff development to build the cultural capability of staff in renal,” he said.  

The Metro South Health First Nations Health Equity Strategy addresses the need to redesign our health service that sees more First Nations people employed across the system, listens to First Nations voices, and supports a better integrated and coordinated system for First Nations peoples. The aim is to ensure our services are equitable for all people.  

Through the implementation plan, MSH are actioning identified priority areas. These are;

• To actively eliminate racial discrimination and institutional racism within the service
• To increase access to healthcare services
• To influence the social, cultural and economic determinants of health
• To deliver sustainable, culturally safe and responsive healthcare services
• To work with First Nations peoples, community, and organisations to design, deliver and review health services
• And to strengthen our First Nations workforce  

Learn more about the MSH First Nations Health Equity Strategy here https://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/first-nations-health-equity-strategy.pdf