A new initiative is paving the way for better healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, ensuring that transport is never a barrier to life saving care.
Yesterday, the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Health Queensland proudly launched the Transport to Treatment program – a new initiative dedicated to providing culturally safe and reliable transport for First Nations families accessing care at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Why this program matters
Right now, 12% of First Nations patients in the Children’s Health Queensland network miss medical appointments – over double the rate of non-Indigenous patients – mainly due to transport challenges.
Without accessible and culturally appropriate transport, many families struggle to get their child the care they need.
The Transport to Treatment program will help through providing:
- Reliable, culturally safe transport
- Financial relief through a free bus service
- Holistic support to ease the emotional and logistical challenges of healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
By improving access to medical appointments, this program will also help prevent avoidable hospital admissions and improve long-term health outcomes for First Nations children.
A statewide vision for change
To make this possible, the Children’s Hospital Foundation had funded three dedicated, culturally safe buses and a 0.5 FTE staff support, with the first now operating in Brisbane, and plans to expand to Cairns, Rockhampton and Mackay to reach even more families in regional and remote areas.
Through integrating this initiative with Children’s Health Queensland’s broader goal of improving healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, we’re taking meaningful steps toward closing the healthcare gap.
“Access to healthcare should never be determined by distance, means, or transport challenges,” said Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Lyndsey Rice.
“Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to work alongside Children’s Health Queensland to identify and fill funding gaps where support is needed most.
“Through the funding of three dedicated mini-buses and staff support, as part of the Transport to Treatment program, we are ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have a reliable, culturally welcoming, and cost-free transport option to access vital care,” she added.
Celebrating this new chapter
To mark the program’s launch, a traditional blessing of the bus was held, recognising the importance of culturally safe and respectful healthcare for First Nations families.
This initiative has been made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters including the Lord Mayors Charitable Trust, Tour de Cure (with funding from Can4Cancer in partnership with Commbank Foundation), RP Medical (via Perpetual), The Gambling Community Benefit Fund and dedicated donors.
Together, we’re taking a vital step towards closing the gap in healthcare access to ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child has every chance to thrive.
To learn more about the impact supporters like you make possible, head here.
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