Why Inclusive Healthcare Isn’t Optional – It’s Essential
Healthcare is often spoken about in clinical terms — symptoms, diagnoses, treatments. But good healthcare is not just about what we do; it’s about how we do it, who we include, and whether we truly see the person in front of us. As a GP Obstetrician and Rural Generalist, I’ve seen first-hand that inclusivity in healthcare isn’t a “nice-to-have” — it’s fundamental to delivering safe, effective care.
Inclusivity Begins with Listening
One of the most common stories I hear from patients — particularly those from the LGBTQIA+ community, or living in rural areas — is that they’ve felt unseen, misgendered, dismissed, or simply not understood in healthcare settings. This isn’t just disheartening — it has real-world consequences for mental and physical health.
Inclusive care starts by making space to hear the whole story. It’s about knowing that a trans teen accessing puberty blockers is not a “controversy” but a young person seeking to live authentically. It’s about understanding that sexual health isn't taboo, but part of overall wellbeing. It’s also about recognising that each patient’s cultural background, body size, gender identity, or mental health history can shape how they experience care — and that we need to meet them with curiosity, not judgement.
The Rural Reality
Providing inclusive care in regional settings like Maryborough brings unique challenges — and powerful opportunities. Access to healthcare in rural areas is often fragmented. Long travel times, workforce shortages, and historical mistrust of institutions can create barriers that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.
But rural generalists like myself are in a powerful position to make change. We’re embedded in communities. We can offer continuity. We can advocate. Whether I’m inserting an IUD, supporting someone through menopause, managing chronic disease, or facilitating a gender-affirming care plan, the thread that connects all of this is trust — built through inclusivity.
Policy Meets Practice
My work doesn’t stop at the clinic door. Through consulting and policy development, I’ve collaborated with organisations across health, education and government to push for more inclusive frameworks. Whether it's embedding LGBTQIA+ inclusion in workplace policy, advocating for rural workforce support, or designing education that reflects real-world diversity, we must align policy with practice if we want better outcomes.
The Future of Inclusive Medicine
The next generation of healthcare must be evidence-informed, yes — but also equity-driven. This means training future clinicians in trauma-informed care. It means embedding mental health into every consultation. It means redesigning services with input from the communities we serve.
If we want to build a system where everyone feels safe to access care, where people are seen as whole beings — not just conditions — we have to make inclusivity the standard, not the exception.
Dr Daniel Wilson is a Rural Generalist and GP Obstetrician based in Maryborough, Victoria. He provides inclusive, evidence-based care with a focus on LGBTQIA+ health, sexual health, mental wellbeing, and chronic disease. He also consults in healthcare policy, education, and governance.
