Today we mark National Close the Gap Day.
This is a significant event for the national community and for all of us at Mater.
Close the Gap Day is not only about continuing the conversation around closing the health and life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Across Mater, it’s a chance to reflect on our commitment to providing safe and effective healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through our words, but most importantly, our actions.
What is Mater doing to Close the Gap?
We are committed to improving services and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients by:
While there is a long way to go to Close the Gap, Mater strives to be a leader in providing culturally safe health, education and research for First Nations Australians.
What can you do to help Close the Gap?
Closing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy gap is everyone's business.
According to Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples live, on average, 10 to 11 years less than non-Indigenous Australians.
You can show your support by signing the pledge to send a united message that Australians value health equality as a fundamental right for all.
Please take a moment to sign — it only takes a minute.
You can also view our video highlighting our Mater Education scholarships and the positive impact they are having on our First Nations students.
Photo caption: Mater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Service officers Gwen Ibarra, Samantha Jeffery and Beck Thomson provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients admitted to Mater hospitals across the state.