Tradespeople and security expert to arrive on Torres Strait today

Nine tradespeople and a security expert will arrive on Torres Strait today as part of a Queensland Government repair and maintenance program on health centres and staff accommodation on the Islands, Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten and Health Minister Stephen Robertson announced today.

Mr Schwarten said three QBuild teams of two carpenters and a plumber per team would be deployed to the Islands, under the co-ordination of a senior QBuild manager who had played a leading role in the clean-up after Cyclone Larry in Innisfail.

"In addition, a manager with the Queensland Government’s State Security will be travelling to the Torres Strait to assess the security needs and make recommendations of permanent duress systems and make recommendations about permanent duress systems to be installed,” Mr Schwarten said.

Mr Robertson, who will return to the Torres Strait today, said any permanent duress options need to satisfy nurses that the alarm will be heard and responded to. This will involve consultation with nurses, the Queensland Nurses’ Union as well as at the Council and other government agencies.

"We are committed to installing permanent duress systems and I have made that commitment to the QNU," Mr Robertson said.

“Queensland Health has been in discussions with the Queensland Police Service on ways to improve responses to duress alarms and Triple-0 calls.”

Mr Robertson said 80 personal duress systems that provide a loud alarm will be taken to Torres Strait for distribution to nurses and community health workers.

Mr Robertson will return to the Torres Strait this afternoon, after inspecting work on four Islands last week.

“I am satisfied that we are making significant progress to address the maintenance issues raised by nurses and the Queensland Nurses’ Union, but more work is being done” he said.

“The work being done to fix locks, security screens and windows as well as electrical safety and lighting in the health centres and staff accommodation has been comprehensive. Significant progress has been made.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (travelling with the Minister) 0418 197 350