Summary
Creating a safe environment for children and young people is more than a legal obligation – it is part of who we are as healthcare professionals.
That commitment was formally reaffirmed this month when Chief Executive Sean Birgan and Board Chair Monica McKendry signed the Mackay HHS's Child Safe Organisation Statement of Commitment, demonstrating the organisation's pledge to place the safety, wellbeing and voices of children and young people at the centre of everything we do.
Becoming a Child Safe Organisation was about ensuring every member of the workforce understood the important role they play in protecting children and young people, Mr Birgan said.
"Every child and young person who comes into our care has the right to feel safe, respected and heard," he said.
"Creating a child-safe organisation isn't the responsibility of one team or one profession – it belongs to all of us. Every interaction matters, whether you're providing direct patient care or supporting our services behind the scenes.
"By embedding child safety into our everyday practice, listening to children and families, and speaking up when something doesn't seem right, we strengthen the trust our community places in us and help ensure the best possible outcomes for our youngest patients."
The signing reflects Mackay HHS's commitment to meeting the requirements of Queensland's Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 and embedding the 10 Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle across every service.
For our workforce, this commitment reinforces that child safety is everyone's responsibility.
Whether you work in a clinical, corporate, support or community role, every interaction contributes to creating an environment where children and young people feel safe, respected, valued and heard.
That means listening to children and families, recognising and responding to concerns early, taking action if something doesn't feel right, and helping build a culture where safety and wellbeing are always prioritised.
The commitment also recognises the importance of cultural safety.
Through the Universal Principle, Mackay HHS is committed to creating environments that are culturally safe, free from racism, and respectful of the rights, cultures and identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families.
Children, young people and families also play an important role in shaping our services. By listening to their experiences and acting on their feedback, we can continue to improve the care we provide and strengthen the trust our community places in us.
As the Child Safe Standards continue to be embedded across the health service, staff will have access to resources and guidance to support this important work.
Together, we all have a role in ensuring Mackay HHS is a place where every child and young person is safe, supported and able to thrive.