QAIHC meets with Ministers to push for practical local solutions to close the gap

Dec 11, 2024 | Uncategorised

 QAIHC representatives met with the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Hon. Tim Nicholls, and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, Hon. Fiona Simpson to push for practical local solutions to close the gap yesterday.

QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke and Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer David Harmer attended the meeting with Mr Nicholls and Ms Simpson on Tuesday, 10 December.

Mr Cooke said it was QAIHC’s role, as an apolitical body, to advocate on behalf of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisation (ACCHO) sector, and their communities, to ensure the sector was recognised and resourced to play a key role in health service provision.

"This meeting was important in our ongoing advocacy for reforms that will drive meaningful, lasting change in the health and wellbeing of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Mr Cooke said.

“It provided an opportunity to meet the Ministers, confirm QAIHC’s commitment to working with government and to reinforce the urgent need for targeted investments that will address the specific challenges faced by our communities.

“We highlighted the significant reform opportunity associated with current negotiations regarding changes to the National Health Reform Funding Agreement (NHRA) and committed to work with the government to identify and implement practical and local reforms that will improve the lives of First Nations Queenslanders.”

At the meeting, QAIHC shared documents outlining the ACCHO sector’s role and opportunities for practical local reforms in health and Closing the Gap to improve the health and well-being of Queensland’s First Nations peoples.

Following the government’s repeal of the Path to Treaty Act 2023, QAIHC recommends making investments in the following reforms:

• World class health and wellbeing no matter where you live: A statewide master plan will enable the sector to leverage Commonwealth capital investment and deliver increased capacity and housing sustainability into our rural, regional and remote areas.
• Patient journey analytics: Transparent and innovative use of data to both inform planning and reporting on progress for key patient cohorts, to identify opportunities under the NHRA and access Queensland’s fair share of funding.
• Integrated care coordination hubs: Identify and support our most complex patients to access the right care at the right time, bringing together the acute and primary care sectors.
• Alcohol and other drugs: Specialist residential service expansion based off the successful and nationally recognised model from Gindaja in Yarrabah, Far North Queensland.
• Growing Deadly Families: Invest in expanding the Growing Deadly Families programs across Queensland. These programs support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternity Service Strategy.

Mr Cooke also discussed the importance of making stronger the four Priority Reform areas of the National Agreement on the Closing the Gap.

"Current Closing the Gap governance structures need to be reshaped. In Queensland, the priorities must align with the sector's and community’s needs,” Mr Cooke said.

"As a true peak organisation, QAIHC is connected on the ground through our Members, trusted local authorities who identify the priorities and solutions needed for their communities.”

About QAIHC

QAIHC is a leadership and policy organisation. Established in 1990, it is the peak organisation representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisations (ACCHOs)in Queensland at both a state and national level. Visit www.qaihc.com.au

Media contact

Samantha Townsend
Communication Manager
E: samantha.townsend@qaihc.com.au
M: 0417 080 203