Palm Islanders to Have Bigger Say in Their Local Health Services
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, and Queensland Minister for Health Geoff Wilson have welcomed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on Palm Island taking more direct involvement in their primary health care services with the signing of the Palm Island Statement of Intent.
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Previous MinistersJoint Release
The Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Federal Minister for Indigenous Health
The Hon Geoff Wilson MP
Queensland Minister for Health
20 October 2011The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, and Queensland Minister for Health Geoff Wilson have welcomed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on Palm Island taking more direct involvement in their primary health care services with the signing today of the Palm Island Statement of Intent.
The Statement commits the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government to work together to achieve equality in health status and life expectancy between Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including those living on Palm Island, and non-Indigenous Australians.
Ministers Snowdon and Wilson signed the Statement with the Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey, and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council CEO Selwyn Button.
“The Statement will further the aspirations of the Palm Island community to strengthen their direct involvement in designing, developing and providing their own primary health care services,” Mr Snowdon said.
Queensland’s Minister for Health Geoff Wilson also used the signing ceremony to jointly launch the Palm Island Health Action Plan (PIHAP) with Mayor Lacey, which is delivering more services closer to home for the Palm Island community.
“Improving the general health and life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
“As part of this plan, the Queensland Government has allocated $1.8 million over three years for a multidisciplinary allied health model of care for the Palm Island community, funding to provide additional midwifery and family support workers, to support parents before and after birth, as well as funding for expanding the innovative Queensland Health program Deadly Ears to undertake screening and follow up hearing health care of Palm Island children,” Mr Wilson said.
The Statement commits parties to develop a comprehensive, long term plan of action, targeting areas of need, which will address the existing inequities in health services for the people of Palm Island.
State Member for Townsville, Mandy Johnstone, welcomed this funding.
“This investment of $1.8 million dollars into the health of the Palm Island community will deliver services that the will keep people healthy in their communities.
“The fact that the Queensland Government will be delivering the Palm Island Health Action Plan in consultation and partnership with the Palm Island community will ensure that we deliver the best possible services tailored to the needs of Palm Island,” Ms Johnstone said.
Palm Island Mayor, Alf Lacey also voiced his support the plan.
"We welcome this historic and ground breaking plan and we share a strong commitment towards closing the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the rest of Queensland.
“A healthy Palm Island is a part of our community's vision and this is just the first step towards achieving good health for our people,” Mr Lacey said.
Mr Snowdon said this commitment to a regional approach to planning and delivering health services would contribute to the Australian Government’s historic national health reforms, as well as its ongoing commitment to closing the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous Australians.
“The ultimate aim is to provide Palm Island residents with better health services while also enhancing and empowering the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce to play an active role in improving local health,” Mr Snowdon said.
For more information, contact Mr Snowdon’s office (02) 6277 7820
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