First Nations Health

Underpinning our approach to commissioning is our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which seeks to build a culturally aware workforce and strengthen relationships with First Nations organisations and communities.

To guide how NQPHN commissions services for First Nations peoples, we have adopted the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) - Guiding Principles. The Guiding Principles, developed in March 2016, acknowledge the commitment made by all PHNs to work with ACCHOs to improve access to health services and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The principles are:

• connection to culture
• empowering First Nations peoples to determine and implement solutions
• improving cultural awareness and respect across the wider Australian population
• effective partnerships.

NQPHN’s Commissioning Framework has prioritised the following actions to meet these principles:

• include cultural safety as an element of all service models
• trust the ACCHO sector to design and deliver solutions
• ensure solutions cause no harm and improve health and wellbeing
• commission with transparency and respect.

Commissioning priorities for 2024 are:

• Integrated Team Care Transition
• Cape and Torres MH and AOD integration

Commissioning priorities for 2023 were:

• First 1,000 Days – Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations (ACCHO) social and emotional wellbeing
• ITC implementation