First Nations health
Brisbane South PHN is committed to advancing reconciliation by promoting equitable healthcare access and outcomes for First Nations peoples. There is also a firm commitment to increase the understanding, value and recognition of First Nations cultures, histories and knowledge through cultural learning for our staff.
A priority objective was to deliver our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and develop our health and wellbeing systems and structures to deliver culturally informed and respectful programs and services.
Key achievements
- Brisbane South PHN is one of 7 PHNs to have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and the only PHN out of 31 nationally to have an endorsed 'Stretch' RAP from Reconciliation Australia.
- 74 (80%) Brisbane South PHN staff have completed our new First Nations Cultural Learning, increasing cultural understanding and awareness of staff and supporting a culturally safe workplace.
- 45 commissioned services have accessed our legacy First Nations Cultural Awareness training available on our Discovery PHN learning platform.
Brisbane South PHN recognises the importance of working closely with First Nations communities and healthcare providers to help close the gap between healthcare needs and access to culturally safe healthcare services.
We have formal partnerships with 4 First Nations organisations and maintain 15 informal relationships with First Nations grass-roots organisations to improve health outcomes of First Nations peoples in our region.
Case studies
First Nations workforce development
Employment is a social determinant of health, and increasing employment rates is essential to reducing inequalities, enhancing individual wellbeing and promoting broader community resilience.
Brisbane South PHN established the Aunty Joan Hendricks Bursary to honour the legacy of Aunty Joan Hendricks, a remarkable Ngugi woman who dedicated her life to education and reconciliation with a vision for fostering lifelong learning. This bursary provides First Nations youth the opportunity to complete a traineeship in Allied Health Assistance, helping them to enter the health workforce and support their communities.
In addition, we have commissioned the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) to deliver a culturally supportive employment program. This provides hands-on training but also develops young First Nations peoples within a culturally safe and supportive environment.
In the 2023–2024 financial year, 3 First Nations students benefited from this initiative, and each has been supported to begin their journey within the allied health sector.
This achievement aligns with the national Closing the Gap priorities, aiming to engage more First Nations youth in education and employment while increasing the representation of First Nations peoples within the healthcare workforce.
The Aunty Joan Hendricks Bursary has become a powerful symbol of commitment to Aunty Joan’s legacy, fostering opportunities for First Nations youth and contributing to a more equitable future.
Working alongside service providers to build capacity for reporting and evaluation of success measures
A First Nations-commissioned service organisation was experiencing challenges in meeting its reporting requirements and reaching its KPIs. These difficulties were impacting its ability to effectively track progress and demonstrate the success of its health initiatives.
The Brisbane South PHN First Nations team was engaged to work with the service. This collaboration fostered open dialogue about strategies and processes, allowing the commissioned organisation to rethink its approach. The inclusive environment facilitated creative problem solving and practical insights, helping to navigate its challenges more effectively.
The informal yarn sessions have proven to be an effective method for capacity building. By creating a supportive space for discussion and collaboration between our organisations, Brisbane South PHN has not only helped the organisation revise its strategic approach but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement. As it implements these insights and strategies, it is better equipped to meet its KPIs and enhance health outcomes for the community it serves.
Improving culturally safe care
A partnership between Metro South Health's Public Health Unit, Brisbane South PHN and IUIH has helped to provide support and upskilling for mainstream general practice staff to elevate their capability to engage effectively with First Nations patients.
Brisbane South PHN launched this project to address critical gaps in healthcare access to mainstream GP clinics and delivery for First Nations peoples in our region. IUIH has delivered cultural awareness training and worked with community services and Metro South Health's Public Health Unit to increase immunisation.
By combining education, quality improvement and community engagement, mainstream GP clinics and allied health practices have been supported to deliver culturally safe healthcare services, with the main focus being increased take up of immunisation services and health assessments.
Impact:
- 18 general practices participated in the project
- 91 health professionals received training
- 260 immunisations and 180 Shingles vaccines administered
- 167 general practices and 148 pharmacies integrated Closing the Gap
- 39 practices partnered with IUIH to implement Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles
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