Health Minister opens Inala Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Health

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has officially opened a new $7 million Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Health at Inala, ensuring better access to health services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

The Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, which is located in the Metro South Health region, is already improving Indigenous health outcomes.

“This new facility enhances the capacity of the existing Inala Indigenous Health Service, dramatically increasing the range of health services provided to the Indigenous community,” Mr Springborg said.

“The original Inala Indigenous Health Service opened in 1995 with only 12 patients. It now currently services about 8,000 patients who attend 20,000 doctor consultations each year – a remarkable achievement, and one the staff and local community can be proud of.

“About 20,000 people identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin in the southern region of Brisbane and Logan, and research has proven that a culturally appropriate primary care service run by Indigenous staff improves Indigenous health outcomes.”

Mr Springborg confirmed the Department of Health would also fund stage two of the Centre, which now provides onsite specialist services including cardiology (heart), endocrinology (diabetes, thyroid health), ophthalmology, hepatology (liver health) and paediatrics.

“It also provides heart health support services such as diabetes education, dietetics, social work, psychology, as well as GP services. These are all supported by Indigenous Health Workers who support the clients in the clinic and in the community,” he said.

“An additional $10.5 million has been allocated by the Queensland Government for stage two of the project, which will, very importantly, co-locate research, as well as other disciplines such as dental services and allied health, on the same campus.

“This extra funding enables the Centre to become a research and teaching hub for the next generation of doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals. It will also develop a research agenda focusing on Indigenous chronic disease, maternity and child health.”

Dr Richard Ashby, Chief Executive, Metro South Health said the new Centre was being led by a nationally recognised leader in Indigenous health, Associate Professor Noel Hayman.

“This Centre is the vision of Professor Noel Hayman, who was Queensland’s first Indigenous doctor and who helped establish the original Inala Indigenous Health Service. He was also a national finalist for Australian of the Year in 2011 for his work in Indigenous health, and we are delighted to benefit from his leadership, experience and vision,”  Dr Ashby said.

 “The Centre is currently staffed by ten GPs, 14 nurses, a psychologist, a range of visiting specialists and an allied health team including a social worker and dietician.

“This outstanding team of clinicians work together to provide culturally appropriate services in essential areas such as child health, chronic disease and immunisation - and will also provide specialist training for health science students in Indigenous health.

“We expect the Centre of Excellence will have a significant impact on Indigenous health not only locally, but across Queensland through teaching, training and research.

“This is another demonstration of the determination of Metro South Health to work with the Government to close the gap in Indigenous health.”

 [ENDS] 19 July 2013

Media contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284