Summary
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of the Central West region are being invited to participate in a series of community painting days this month.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of the Central West region are being invited to participate in a series of community painting days this month.
Tess Symes, who is leading the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander portfolio for the Central West Hospital and Health Service, said artworks produced at the painting sessions would be used in a number of ways.
These included helping to illustrate the health service’s upcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health and Workforce Plan.
Ms Symes said Central West Health had been working with Queensland Health’s First Nations Health Office since December 2024 to develop the Community Health and Workforce Plan.
The workforce plan is part of the health service’s ongoing Health Equity Strategy, launched in November 2022.
Ms Symes said the Central West Health Equity Strategy focussed on six priority areas:
1. Improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being outcomes
2. Actively eliminate racial discrimination and institutional racism
3. Increase access to better health services
4. Deliver sustainable, culturally safe, and responsive healthcare services
5. Influence the social, cultural, and economic determinants of health
6. Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations to design, deliver, monitor, and review health services.
“This strategy can only succeed if we harness the expertise and wisdom of our local community through ongoing meaningful engagement and consultation,” Ms Symes said.
“Closing the Gap is not something that can be done by the public health system alone because the reasons for poor life-expectancy are complex.
“Community backing is vital to achieving better health outcomes.
“This is why we are working and consulting closely with local community organisations such as the Central West Aboriginal Corporation and Longreach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation.’’
Ms Symes said the health service was strongly committed to improving services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and to delivering them in culturally appropriate ways.
“Our Community Health and Workforce plan will build on the work already done over the past couple of years to improve representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our workforce,’’ she said.
“About 8 per cent of our residents in the Central West, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.
“Currently, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation throughout our workforce is about 5.69 per cent and we are aiming to achieve 7 per cent.
“Our new workforce plan will provide a blueprint to help us work towards our target.’’
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health and Workforce Plan painting workshops will be held at:
8 April – 10 am to 2 pm at CQID, 39 Duck St, Longreach.
9 April – 1 pm to 6 pm at the Silver Lining Studio, 69 Acacia St, Barcaldine.
14 April – 1 pm to 7 pm at Tambo Lifestyle and Community Hub, 24 Arthur St, Tambo.
15 April – 10 am to 2 pm at the Lost Art Centre, 91 Shamrock St, Blackall.
For all four sessions, please call Central West Health Indigenous Health Co-ordinator Kerry Thompson on 0455 735 661 for further information.