Building strong partnerships between ACCHOs and Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders was the key priority at the inaugural Joint First Nations Forum in August.
The heads of QAIHC Member services and Queensland HHSs gathered at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre to discuss this important topic from August 5-6.
Aunty Rachel Atkinson, CEO of Palm Island Community Company and QAIHC Deputy Chairperson, gave a compelling opening address.
She highlighted our sector’s priorities for health reform including strong coordination and partnerships between key peak bodies to co-design health solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, recognition as core participants and essential health care providers within a fully integrated health system, and urgent action to address racism in our society.
Aunty Rachel called for genuine collaboration to drive progress in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and encouraged everyone to listen, get involved, and act on our shared priorities.
Queensland Health’s Director-General Michael Walsh echoed the urgency of tackling racism and the need for partnerships. He emphasised reshaping the health system for better outcomes through practical actions and genuine collaboration.
Over the two days, QAIHC Members and Queensland Health staff engaged in open and honest discussions on how they could work together to help close the gap.
Tabletop discussions focused on partnership health checks, partnership health plans, place-based solutions health checks, and place-based solutions health plans. The forum wrapped up with key actions for each region to take on.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, Shannon Fentiman MP joined the Forum to launch the QAIHC/Queensland Health co-designed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer care framework, Achieving Health Equity in Cancer Care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders (see page 3).
Thank you to Members and Queensland Health for their ongoing commitment to making positive change.
