Innisfail health partnership to tackle chronic disease

Queensland Health has joined with Innisfail-based health groups in a partnership to help fight chronic diseases in the local community, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson today visited the Healthier Great Green Way Initiative – a partnership between the Innisfail Health Service District, the local Rural Division of General Practitioners and the local Aboriginal Medical Service.

“Together, these organisations provide primary health services aimed at decreasing the incidence of chronic disease in the community,” he said.

“More than 1,100 people have already benefited from this service since it started in October last year.”

Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government was contributing $1.7 million a year towards the project.

“This is one of many Beattie Government initiatives designed to build healthier communities throughout Queensland.

“Queensland has the highest rates of preventable deaths of any state in Australia and more than a third of Queenslanders die every year from largely preventable chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, some forms of cancer, Type 2 diabetes and renal disease.”

“Through our $157 million Chronic Disease Strategy we are focussing on prevention and early detection of chronic diseases which account for 87.6% of the total burden of disease in Queensland.

“The Healthier Green Way Initiative is a great example of what can be achieved when government and the community work together for a healthier Queensland.

“The Healthier Great Green Way team is implementing strategies in health promotion, prevention, symptom management, self-management and rehabilitation to reduce heart and lung disease, diabetes, renal disease and contributing risk factors such as smoking, nutrition, alcohol and lack of physical activity.

“Allied health professionals work in multidisciplinary teams across organisations and often across workplaces to implement and support these locally driven strategies.

“The service includes mental health, social work, diet and nutrition, diabetes education, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, Indigenous health checks, chronic disease clinics and health promotion courses such as ‘Lighten Up’ and ‘Chronic Disease Self Management’.”

The service is located at 180 Edith Street and includes five consulting rooms.

Mr Robertson said bookings could be made on referral from a GP via an online booking system.

MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680