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Darling Downs Health has committed to a range of new and ambitious targets as part of its latest health equity strategy to improve the health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Health Equity Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025-2028 was launched on Monday and builds on the work of the past three years and has taken in feedback received from communities.
Darling Downs Health Service Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM said she was proud of the progress being made in areas such as growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce.
“The Darling Downs Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce has grown to more than 300 employees,” Ms Scott said.
“This workforce helps provide the culturally appropriate care needed to improve the health outcomes of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
The latest strategy includes a commitment to achieving a target of a 4.54 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Darling Downs Health workforce over the next three years.
Ms Scott said Darling Downs Health had listened to the feedback provided by the public during ‘Yarn Up’ sessions held across the region in June and July.
She said the health service would work to improve the support provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
"As part of the new strategy, we want at least 90 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients to have had a specialist outpatient appointment within the recommended time,” Ms Scott said.
“I want to thank our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities for trusting us with developing this latest strategy and together we can continue our work in providing more inclusive and culturally aware health care.”
Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM
Newly appointed Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Todd Williams said the strategy reflected the voices of Indigenous communities across the region.
“This updated strategy sets ambitious but necessary goals, and these are a result of honest conversations and a shared commitment to doing better,” said Mr Williams.
The latest strategy was also developed in partnership with staff, consumers, community members, primary care organisations, and state-level implementation partners.
The Health Equity Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025-2028 is available to view online [PDF 9330.98 KB].