Health system

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) peoples in Queensland receive health care via government, non-government providers and the ATSICCHS Sector. This includes healthcare providers such as GPs, nurses, allied health providers (such as dietitians, podiatrists and physiotherapists), midwives, pharmacists, dentists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners working in primary and tertiary care [31982]. The First Nations health workforce make a vital contribution to health care in Australia by enhancing the range and quality of clinical services provided to First Nations clients and providing communities with comprehensive, holistic health care and culturally appropriate engagement with First Nations peoples [2661].

Cultural safety and self-determination within health care is supported across Queensland’s ATSICCHS by Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), the state’s peak body. QAIHC’s member ATSICCHS are dedicated to improving First Nations health outcomes in Queensland by delivering comprehensive and culturally appropriate primary health care. QAIHC’s ten-year blueprint (2024-2034), Strong sector, strong system, sets the strategy for growing the ATSICCHS sector and its impact so that First Nations peoples, families and communities throughout Queensland are engaged, self-determining and strong [49786].

Queensland Health is comprised of the Department of Health, which is responsible for the overall management of the public health system in Queensland, and a network of 16 Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) which are responsible for the delivery of public health services. All HHSs have co-developed First Nations health equity strategies that commit to advancing health equity within their services for First Nations peoples in Queensland. These strategies are supported by the HealthQ32: First Nations first strategy 2032, and aligns with Queensland Health’s HEALTHQ32: a vision for Queensland’s health system that commits to eliminating racism within the health system and providing First Nations peoples with access to culturally safe and coordinated healthcare services [50444].

The First Nations Health Office within Queensland Health, led by the Chief First Nations Health Officer, works across the health system to improve health equity and outcomes for First Nations peoples. Making tracks toward closing the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders by 2033 provides the overarching framework to guide these efforts [19393].