Queensland is falling short of a target to close the gap on First Nations’ life expectancy. 

A report examining the health outcomes of First Nations patients in Queensland has revealed that the state will not achieve its goal of closing the gap on First Nations life expectancy by 2031. 

The report by the Queensland Audit Office further disclosed that First Nations patients are twice as likely as other residents to forgo or delay specialist appointments due to the financial burden of travel expenses.

Drawing on data from Queensland Health, the performance review demonstrated that First Nations individuals are nearly three times more likely to be discharged from hospitals against medical advice. 

Additionally, patients residing in remote areas face a disproportionately high incidence of potentially avoidable hospitalisations.

The Queensland Audit Office highlighted the persistent overrepresentation of First Nations people in healthcare indicators that point to inadequate care. 

“Providing health care to people in remote communities is an ongoing challenge,” it said. 

The report also criticised health equity strategies for lacking sufficient detail on achieving their broad and ambitious objectives.

While the 16 regional hospital and health services have devised strategies to enhance the quality of care, the report noted that the targets are excessively broad and lack specific delivery plans. 

The Queensland Audit Office proposed six strategies to enhance the provision of culturally appropriate care, including the recruitment of Indigenous liaison officers and the improvement of travel schemes' accessibility. 

Professor Smallwood advocated for tripling the number of Aboriginal staff statewide, asserting that racism, paternalism, and a lack of understanding contribute to individuals missing out on essential services.

The report stressed the necessity of regular performance reporting to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies. 

Queensland Health had previously released the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework 2010-2033 to improve health outcomes, however, the Audit Office says no progress reports have been issued in the past 13 years.

In response, a Queensland Health spokesperson affirmed that all recommendations put forth by the Audit Office had been accepted, and the department would collaborate with key stakeholders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to implement them. 

The spokesperson added that several recommendations were already in progress, such as the development of health equity implementation plans.