Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not always have the same level of access to health services as other Australians. With data from Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) Emergency and Trauma Centre showing that First Nations patients are more likely to leave before treatment is complete or before they are medically discharged, this project seeks to better understand the experiences behind these statistics and identify practical ways to improve access to care. 

Through culturally safe yarning conversations, feedback opportunities and community-led co-design, the project will listen directly to patient experiences and use these insights to develop practical improvements that make emergency care more accessible, responsive and welcoming. 

By listening to and prioritising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, the initiative aims to strengthen trust, improve healthcare experiences and help more people receive timely care. 

Emergency departments are often where people first seek care for urgent health concerns, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients continue to experience inequities in accessing and completing emergency treatment. For conditions such as chest pain, abdominal pain and alcohol-related presentations, delays in receiving care can have serious consequences. 

These experiences are influenced by many factors, including previous interactions with healthcare, concerns about cultural safety, communication barriers, practical challenges and the ongoing impacts of intergenerational trauma and systemic inequity. 

While improving emergency care requires system-level change, the first step is understanding what patients experience and what matters most to them. This project will create a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities to share their perspectives and identify opportunities for improvement. 

In bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers, community organisations, cultural support teams, emergency clinicians and key partners, this initiative aims to create an emergency care environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel heard, respected and supported - helping to build trust, improve access and contribute to better health outcomes.