Published Thursday, 14 December, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Nominations called for Gympie and Sunshine Coast Health Community Councils
Health Minister Stephen Robertson today encouraged locals to nominate for a position on new Health Community Councils being established in Gympie and the Sunshine Coast.
Mr Robertson said the new Health Community Councils would give locals a greater say over the performance and quality of local health services.
“Both councils will help to ensure that health services in Gympie and Sunshine Coast are highly responsive to their local communities,” he said.
“The community-based advisory bodies will operate independently within the new Sunshine Coast-Cooloola Health Service District.
“They will focus on quality and safety of health services (including consumer complaints), community and consumer engagement, as well as community education in relation to the health system.
“Suitably qualified people wishing to serve on their local Health Community Council can contact the independent health watchdog, the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC).”
Mr Robertson said councils will include up to eight members, and, wherever possible, at least one member will be a local general practitioner.
“A council will not have more than one member who is engaged in the delivery of public sector health services in the council’s Health Service District,” he said.
“Appointments will be for a period of up to four years and each Council will meet at least once every two months.”
The new Councils will be established under the Health Services Act 1991. The closing date for nominations is 12 February 2007.
For further information or for an application package, visit the HQCC website at: http://www.hrc.qld.gov.au/web/ or phone toll free 1800 077 308.
14 December, 2006
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said the new Health Community Councils would give locals a greater say over the performance and quality of local health services.
“Both councils will help to ensure that health services in Gympie and Sunshine Coast are highly responsive to their local communities,” he said.
“The community-based advisory bodies will operate independently within the new Sunshine Coast-Cooloola Health Service District.
“They will focus on quality and safety of health services (including consumer complaints), community and consumer engagement, as well as community education in relation to the health system.
“Suitably qualified people wishing to serve on their local Health Community Council can contact the independent health watchdog, the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC).”
Mr Robertson said councils will include up to eight members, and, wherever possible, at least one member will be a local general practitioner.
“A council will not have more than one member who is engaged in the delivery of public sector health services in the council’s Health Service District,” he said.
“Appointments will be for a period of up to four years and each Council will meet at least once every two months.”
The new Councils will be established under the Health Services Act 1991. The closing date for nominations is 12 February 2007.
For further information or for an application package, visit the HQCC website at: http://www.hrc.qld.gov.au/web/ or phone toll free 1800 077 308.
14 December, 2006
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680