Metro North Health launches bold anti-racism campaign – Stop racism. It starts with me.
Queensland’s largest hospital and health service, Metro North Health, has launched a powerful new campaign – Stop Racism. It Starts with Me – to help address racism in healthcare and promote cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Unveiled at the launch of the revised Metro North Health Equity Strategy today in the lead up to NAIDOC Week, the campaign directly addresses unconscious bias and institutionalised racism in the health system.
The campaign was co-designed over the past six months with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, patients, and community members, as part a of truth-telling process grounded in lived experiences.
One community member reflected on the lasting impacts of racism, stating: “Racism leaves more than scars – it leaves silence, isolation, and pain.
“It feels like you are constantly living in two worlds. One where your cultural responsibilities are significant to you, your family, larger kinship group and community. And another world where you feel less than. One world that lifts your spirit, and one world that drains your spirit.”
Metro North Health Chief Executive Jackie Hanson said the campaign reflects a deep organisational commitment to equity and accountability.
“We have zero tolerance towards racism within our hospitals and health services,” said Jackie.
“Racism has no place in healthcare, yet we know it exists — in the stories people have shared, and in the inequities we continue to see, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other racialised communities.
"This work demands more than good intentions. It requires systemic change, courageous leadership, and daily action from each of us.
“That’s why we’re embedding anti-racism in how we recruit, train, lead, and deliver care. We’re building a culture where cultural safety isn’t optional — it’s expected.”
The campaign reinforces Metro North Health’s commitment to addressing racism through its newly developed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander anti-racism policy and a dedicated reporting mechanism designed to ensure all incidents are formally reported and acted upon.
Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Sherry Holzapfel said that the policy is a vital response to long-standing experiences of harm.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have faced racism and inequity in health systems for generations — in how we’re treated, how our voices are heard, and how decisions are made about our care,” Ms Holzapfel said.
“We deserve a health system where cultural knowledge is respected, and voices are heard. This campaign is about safety, justice and health – and ensuring all people feel safe and cared for in our hospitals and clinics."
With more than 25,000 staff, Metro North Health’s anti-racism campaign is focussed on creating deep cultural change. A series of powerful, short films, shaped by real voices and stories, will be released as educational tools to challenge racism and promote allyship across the workforce.
The campaign films can be viewed here.
Principal Culture, Engagement and Wellbeing Advisor Nikita King, who is one of 31 campaign ambassadors, said that being part of the campaign is about meaningful action, not just good intentions.
“I actively speak up against racist behaviour and call it out for what it is,” said Nikita.
“I am driving equality by leaning on my colleagues and the Metro North Health Peer Responder network to walk beside us on this journey to close the gap and put a stop to racist behaviour.
“I feel very grateful to be in a space that allows me to walk as an active ally.”
While the campaign’s initial focus is on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, future phases will expand to address racism experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities and other racialised groups.
Key Facts:
Queensland’s largest hospital and health service, Metro North Health, has launched a powerful new campaign – Stop Racism. It Starts with Me – to help address racism in healthcare and promote cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
About us:
Metro North Health enables people to deliver excellent patient-centred care and high quality health services.
We are the largest of 16 Hospital and Health Services (HHS) that provide public health services in Queensland. Metro North is a statutory body governed by our Board.
We focus on collaboration with healthcare partners and an investment in systems, engagement and culture, we connect people to deliver services to a population approaching 900,000, from north of the Brisbane River to north of Kilcoy.
Contact details:
Metro North Health Principle Media Advisor Rebecca Burn: [email protected].
