North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples throughout the North West by renewing the Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation, originally published in 2019.

The Statement of Commitment was signed on 28 May at the Mount Isa Hospital by Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan, Board Chair Cheryl Vardon AO, and Assistant Commissioner Queensland Ambulance Service for the Northern Region Matthew Green.

North West HHS Chief Executive Sean Birgan said the health service and the North West Local Ambulance Service Network were dedicated to providing culturally respectful and responsive services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to Closing the Gap and ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all,” Mr Birgan said.

“Our renewed Statement of Commitment underscores our dedication to fostering culturally inclusive relationships and rejecting racism in all forms."

The signing took place during North West HHS’s Reconciliation Week event, hosted by Executive Director First Nations Health Christine Mann and included North West HHS Board members, community Elders, staff and community.

“Our health service continues to promote reconciliation principles through its everyday practices, striving for a just, equitable, and reconciled nation for all Australians,” Ms Mann said.

“This reaffirmation is a crucial step in our ongoing journey towards reconciliation, and by implementing our Health Equity Strategy and Cultural Capability Framework, we aim to build trust and improve health outcomes for our communities."