Multicultural Health - policies, plans and strategies
Many cultures, one Queensland
Multicultural Queensland Charter
The Queensland Government's vision of a united, harmonious and inclusive community is achievable through the adoption of the eight principles set out in the Multicultural Queensland Charter. The Charter promotes principles such as fairness, inclusion and harmony.
Queensland Health is embedding these principles throughout our organisation, from supporting workforce diversity to improving customer focused services and designing government policies that engage the whole community.
Multicultural Policy and Action Plan
This Multicultural Action Plan 2019-20 to 2021-22 drives the Queensland Government actions to build an environment of opportunity and achieve improved social and economic outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Action Plans set out a whole-of-government approach for implementing Policy priorities in accordance with the Multicultural Recognition Act 2016.
Multicultural annual reports
- Queensland Health's 2016-17 Multicultural Annual Report (PDF 326 kB)
- Queensland Health's 2017-18 Multicultural Annual Report (PDF 180 kB)
- Queensland Health's 2018-19 Multicultural Annual Report (PDF 243 kB)
- Queensland Health's 2019-20 Multicultural Annual Report (PDF 619 kB)
- Queensland Health's 2020-21 Multicultural Annual Report (PDF 604 kB)
- Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Services 2021-2022 Multicultural Annual Report (PDF 550 kB)
Refugee Health and Wellbeing
Queensland Health is committed to ensuring all people from refugee backgrounds who call Queensland home have access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place to ensure they have the best possible health and wellbeing.
Refugee Health and Wellbeing: A policy and action plan for Queensland 2017-2020 provides a strategic policy structure and practical actions to improve refugee health and wellbeing in Queensland.
Queensland Language Services Policy and Guidelines
The Queensland Language Services Policy outlines the Queensland Government's commitment to use interpreters and translated information to improve access to the full range of government and government-funded services for people with difficulty communicating in English.
The Queensland Language Services Guidelines provides Queensland Government agencies with information and examples of how to implement the Queensland Language Services Policy within their agency.
Health Care Providers Handbooks
These health care provider handbooks are quick reference tools for health workers to use when caring for Hindu, Muslim or Sikh patients. The handbooks aim to help health workers understand the religious beliefs and practices that may affect health care and provide links to further advice and resources.
The handbooks cover a range of topics including articles of faith, prayer and meditation, astrological beliefs, karma, removal of hair, clothing, maternity services, sexual and reproductive health, end of life issues, fasting and food requirements.
It is important to note that because of personal and cultural variations in the way some religions are practised, the handbooks can only provide general information and advice. Health workers should always consult their patient about their personal level of religious observance.
Spiritual Care
The Spiritual Care Framework describes how spiritual care can be provided to patients and integrated within relevant aspects of patient care in Queensland Health facilities. This includes the support of families, friends and staff.
The purpose of the Framework is to clarify the roles, responsibilities, and competencies expected of Spiritual Carers and other visitors when they are given permission by Queensland Health to enter public hospitals to offer spiritual care services. The document also seeks to integrate spiritual care services into the continuum of care offered by public hospitals. The Framework has been developed in partnership between Queensland Health, Spiritual carers, and the Queensland Multifaith Health Care Council.
The Framework for the Integration of Spiritual Care in Queensland Health Facilities can also be accessed on the Queensland Health Guidelines page.
