Mobile base for Indigenous health launched in Gladstone

Improving Indigenous Health was on the Newman Government agenda, when Premier Campbell Newman and Health Minister Lawrence Springborg unveiled a mobile health clinic in Gladstone.

Mr Newman said the purpose-built mobile facility would target the needs of indigenous Queenslanders with the support and backing of corporate and health service partners.

QGC Pty Ltd, in partnership with Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), has provided $475,000 to fit-out the off-road caravan and fund the first two years of clinical services by doctors, nurses and indigenous health workers.

“There is a real need to address indigenous health issues and the best way to do that is to make health professionals mobile and take them to needy communities,” Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman said the Gladstone-based clinic would serve communities in an area west to Emerald and south to Roma and Miles increasing access to doctors, nurses and Indigenous health workers.

“QGC is fulfilling its social responsibility and is partnering with QAIHC to improve health services in communities hosting and supporting gas industry development,” he said.

Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, praised QGC and its partnership with QAIHC.

“Queensland Health is striving to improve indigenous health outcomes and organisations like QAIHC are best placed to help us achieve this,” Mr Springborg said.

“They are an example of health partners better placed to deliver health messages because of their close linkages with indigenous communities and their understanding of local needs.”

Mr Springborg said that chronic disease and preventable illness, especially amongst indigenous communities, is an impost to the State health system.

“The new mobile clinic will go a long way to reducing this burden, allowing the health dollar to go further in Queensland,” he said.

Queensland Curtis LNG Project Director Mitch Ingram said the clinic was part of more than $1.6 million being invested by QGC in outreach medical services in central and southern Queensland.

“The clinic will strengthen health services, in line with commitments made in the $150 million Queensland Curtis LNG Social Impact Management Plan,’’ Mr Ingram said.

“This service is demonstrating how companies can work with indigenous peoples and organisations to improve outcomes for communities.”

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council represents 26 community-controlled health services across the state.

The health clinic will be staffed by the Central Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation, the peak body for indigenous health in Central Queensland and Wide Bay.

Selywn Button, chief executive of the council, said he looked forward to seeing people benefit from the service.

“A solid partnership has now  been established  which will ensure  that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across central Queensland, North Burnett and surrounding areas are able to access vital good-quality, comprehensive primary health care services,” he said.

[ENDS] 26 August 2013

Media contact:  Premier’s Office 3224 4500