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Queensland Sexual Health Framework

The Queensland Sexual Health Framework (Framework) commenced on 1 January 2022, following the conclusion of the time-limited Queensland Sexual Health Strategy 2016-2021. The Framework continues the work of the strategy and aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health of all Queenslanders.

Recognising the significant impact of social determinants on sexual and reproductive health, this holistic, whole-of-government Framework was developed by the Department of Health following consultation with stakeholders including health consumers, other government departments, and community organisations. It is underpinned by five Queensland Blood-Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections (BBV/STI) Action Plans which align with National BBV/STI Strategies.

This policy suite provides a scaffold for meeting the wide-ranging needs of Queensland’s diverse population with informed, flexible, and responsive sexual health services, equitable access, targeted health promotion and prevention activities, and increased community awareness and access to comprehensive education throughout life.

The National BBV/STI Strategies and the Queensland BBV/STI Action Plans will be reviewed and updated in 2023.

Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee

The Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee (PDF 53 kB) (Committee), established in 2017, provides advice to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, and Minister for Women on sexual and reproductive health-related matters aligned to the Framework.

The Committee also

  • provides advice on priorities and future challenges on sexual and reproductive health-related matters, including recommendations for investment in research activities under the Framework
  • provides opportunities for clinicians, service providers, other government agencies, advocates, and researchers to communicate and share in the information of strategic importance to the delivery of effective sexual and reproductive health services in Queensland
  • provides input into state-wide, evidence-based sexual and reproductive health, BBV/STI policies and other clinical guidelines where appropriate
  • identifies intersections with other government agencies to promote a whole-of-government approach to improving the sexual and reproductive health of all Queenslanders
  • reports on progress towards actions in the Framework and associated action plans.

The Committee meets quarterly, and a meeting Communiqué is published online following each Committee meeting.

Emeritus Professor Cindy Shannon AM chairs the Committee, with each member contributing expertise representative of the diversity of priority populations and other stakeholder groups within the sexual and reproductive health sector in Queensland. The Committee was reappointed for a third term from 30 March 2022 to 29 March 2025.

The Committee’s Secretariat manage the Committee’s annual workplan and related program of works and events. Secretariat services for the Committee are provided by the Engagement and Strategy team within Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland Health.

Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee contact details

Email: SH_Framework@health.qld.gov.au

Annual Stakeholder Engagement Forum

Since 2017 the Committee have hosted a forum each year to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and discuss important issues within the sexual and reproductive health sector. Typically a day-long occurrence, these forums explore an identified area of need, with a report and recommendations provided to the Minister for Health, Mental Health, Ambulance Services, and Minister for Women post-event (see Reports section).

Forums were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2023 Forum was held in May in Brisbane with the theme Syphilis: everybody’s business.

Sexual Health Research Fund

The Department of Health established the Sexual Health Research Fund (SHRF) in late 2018 to provide seed funding for translational research in sexual and reproductive health.

Grants of up to $100,000 (including GST) are available in each round for research that will support implementation of the Framework and improve the delivery of sexual health services in Queensland. A research subcommittee is responsible for setting research priorities, assessing, and recommending applications for funding.

Fifteen projects have been awarded across 4 funding rounds to date.

Administration of the SHRF is provided by the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM).

More information, including grant guidelines, application forms, and more detail about funded projects, can be found on the ASHM website.

Queensland Sexual Health Clinical Network

Clinical Excellence Queensland established the Queensland Sexual Health Clinical Network in 2019, under the auspices of the Queensland Sexual Health Strategy 2016-2021.

The purpose of the Queensland Sexual Health Clinical Network is to function as a specialist platform to share and provide expertise, advice and recommendations to Hospital and Health Services and the Department of Health to support high quality, evidence based, safe, effective, and patient focused, equitable public sexual health services.

The network enables clinicians and other relevant stakeholders to connect with one another across Queensland to share ideas and models of care, and to work together to create solutions for shared challenges.

Queensland Clinical Networks are open to clinicians, consumers and managers with experience, interest, and passion in improving healthcare.

Join Queensland Sexual Health Clinical Network

Queensland Sexual Health Clinical Network contact details

Email: QldSexualHealthNetwork@health.qld.gov.au

Reports

Queensland Sexual Health Strategy 2016-2021 and Progress Reports

Two Queensland Sexual Health Strategy 2016-2021 Progress Reports have been published.

Progress Report 2016–2019 (PDF 1309 kB) details the significant progress against the priority actions of the Strategy during its first three years, since the December 2016 launch.

Progress Report 2019-2021 (PDF 1908 kB) details the progress and achievements against the priority actions of the Strategy from 2019 until the time-limited Strategy’s conclusion in 2021.

Forum Reports

2023

Syphilis: everybody’s business (PDF 5689 kB) details the details the third Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee Stakeholder Engagement Forum held in Brisbane on 18 May 2023.

Appendix 2 slide pack (high resolution) (PDF 8529 kB)

2019

Facilitating primary care in the prevention, treatment and management of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections in Queensland (PDF 2188 kB) details the second annual Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee Stakeholder Engagement Forum held in Brisbane on 9 October 2019.

2018

Youth sexual and reproductive health (PDF 3597 kB) details the inaugural Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee Stakeholder Engagement Forum held in Brisbane on 10 October 2018, with a focus on youth sexual and reproductive health.

2017

North Queensland HIV roundtable (PDF 1803 kB) documents the information gathered from key stakeholders in October 2017 to promote the prevention and integrated management of HIV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in North Queensland.

Note: Forums were not held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19 impacts.

Communiqués

Last updated: 28 August 2023

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