Cultural Capability

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability

The Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Team members acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work to deliver services across Queensland and pay our respects to our Elders past and present.

Queensland Health's commitment

Queensland Health is committed to the delivery of services that are clinically and culturally safe and accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework 2010-2033 (PDF 3937 kB) provides the foundation and guidance to deliver sustainable health gains with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Framework aims to increase the knowledge of staff to achieve the fundamental changes to polices, planning and practices to ensure service are responsive to the cultural needs identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Department of Health's commitment

Queensland Health recognises the importance of delivering services that are safe and accessible, both clinically and culturally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2010, the Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework 2010-2033 (PDF 3937 kB) was launched and a dedicated team was established to lead its implementation state-wide.

What is Cultural Capability?

Cultural capability refers to the skills, knowledge, behaviours and systems that are required to plan, support, improve and deliver services in a culturally respectful and appropriate manner.

Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Team

In collaboration and partnership with a dedicated network of people across the state, the Cultural Capability Team's key functions are to lead the implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework 2010-2033 (PDF 3937 kB) through:

• statewide advice and support to hospital and health services and to the Department of Health
• delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice Program Facilitator training, support and mentorship programs for hospital and health service staff
• delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice Program for Department of Health and Children's Health Queensland staff
• establishing and maintaining partnerships, and providing support and advice on cultural capability within health, educational institutions and non-government agencies
• contribution to a broader agenda of cultural capability at the state and national level.

Our Vision

Under the leadership of the Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Officer and Deputy Director-General, the Cultural Capability Team works to achieve the following vision:

• Queensland Health is culturally capable and free of discrimination and institutional racism
• Queensland Health will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve equitable health outcomes and attain life expectancy parity with other Queenslanders by 2031 by delivering services that are physically, socially and culturally respectful and competent.

Our mandate and focus is to provide leadership and influence change across Queensland Health so that our services fulfil this vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We recognise that:

• We are contributing to improving health outcomes, in the broad sense of holistic health, as our main goal
• We can optimally influence change by working in partnerships and sharing our resources across and beyond the organisation.