Published Monday, 19 March, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Flying squads to offer heart checks for remote Indigenous communities
Indigenous Queenslanders living in remote communities will receive free heart checks through a new Queensland Health cardiac outreach service.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today The Prince Charles Hospital is running the outreach service which will visit isolated and remote communities throughout outback Queensland.
“The first clinical team from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital arrived in Woorabinda in central Queensland today to run a two-day mobile heart clinic,” he said.
“The team includes a cardiologist, a nurse, a sonographer to provide ultrasound images of the heart, plus an Indigenous Liaison Coordinator.
“They will provide cardiac assessment and treatment planning for Indigenous patients who attend the clinic.
“The Woorabinda visit is the first of 27 clinics to be conducted at communities including Doomadgee, Mornington, Longreach, Barcaldine, Windorah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Winton.
“Other clinical teams will visit these communities three times a year to assess patients and determine any required treatment.”
Mr Robertson said the cardiac outreach service will improve early intervention and help reduce the rate of cardiac-related deaths among indigenous Queenslanders.
“Tragically, Indigenous Queenslanders experience three times the rate of major heart coronary events such as heart attack compared with the general community.
“For example, more than 13% of Indigenous Queenslanders have been diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease.
“That’s not good enough.
“And that’s why Queensland Health is delivering this new cardiac outreach service in partnership with indigenous communities.”
Mr Robertson said Indigenous Health workers will screen individuals for cardiac problems, identify those who require further medical assessment, and organise their attendance at the clinics.
“These health workers will also receive ongoing skills training and education by the outreach team to ensure that they have the knowledge and know-how to develop a growing responsibility for cardiac health within their local community.
“This new approach empowers Indigenous health care workers to screen potential cardiac problems in the community and help individuals take responsibility to lower their own cardiac risks.”
A telephone link service to The Prince Charles Hospital Cardiology Service will also be established to support health care workers with advice for the ongoing care of people between clinic visits.
19 March, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today The Prince Charles Hospital is running the outreach service which will visit isolated and remote communities throughout outback Queensland.
“The first clinical team from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital arrived in Woorabinda in central Queensland today to run a two-day mobile heart clinic,” he said.
“The team includes a cardiologist, a nurse, a sonographer to provide ultrasound images of the heart, plus an Indigenous Liaison Coordinator.
“They will provide cardiac assessment and treatment planning for Indigenous patients who attend the clinic.
“The Woorabinda visit is the first of 27 clinics to be conducted at communities including Doomadgee, Mornington, Longreach, Barcaldine, Windorah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Winton.
“Other clinical teams will visit these communities three times a year to assess patients and determine any required treatment.”
Mr Robertson said the cardiac outreach service will improve early intervention and help reduce the rate of cardiac-related deaths among indigenous Queenslanders.
“Tragically, Indigenous Queenslanders experience three times the rate of major heart coronary events such as heart attack compared with the general community.
“For example, more than 13% of Indigenous Queenslanders have been diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease.
“That’s not good enough.
“And that’s why Queensland Health is delivering this new cardiac outreach service in partnership with indigenous communities.”
Mr Robertson said Indigenous Health workers will screen individuals for cardiac problems, identify those who require further medical assessment, and organise their attendance at the clinics.
“These health workers will also receive ongoing skills training and education by the outreach team to ensure that they have the knowledge and know-how to develop a growing responsibility for cardiac health within their local community.
“This new approach empowers Indigenous health care workers to screen potential cardiac problems in the community and help individuals take responsibility to lower their own cardiac risks.”
A telephone link service to The Prince Charles Hospital Cardiology Service will also be established to support health care workers with advice for the ongoing care of people between clinic visits.
19 March, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680