Health care centres on five islands in the in the Torres Strait will get major upgrades, thanks to a $14.7 million investment by the Palaszczuk Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Dauan, Masig, Poruma, St Pauls and Ugar primary health facilities would receive major overhauls, to create modern, fit-for-purpose spaces the communities can be proud of.
“Ensuring people in regional and remote areas can access the health care they need is vital,” The Premier said.
“This is part of my Government’s commitment to improving access to quality and safe healthcare in all its different forms and settings, right across the state.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development and Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait Shannon Fentiman said the upgrades would mean the health precincts would be able to continue to service the local community well into the future.
“The upgrades will include enhanced Telehealth services. This means, more patients will no longer have to travel to Cairns or elsewhere for some specialist appointments,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Patients in the Torres Strait can connect with some of our best and brightest medical professional’s right across Queensland from their local health care centre, close to home.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui welcomed the funding investment and said it would go a long way to improving healthcare in the Torres Strait.
“We’re also investing an additional $3.74 million to commence upgrades to three staff accommodation projects on Dauan, Poruma and Ugar Islands as part of the Government’s Rural and Regional Infrastructure Package.
“We want to ensure our hardworking and dedicated healthcare staff have high quality, safe accommodation available in these remote locations,” Ms Lui said.
“Accommodation is a major consideration for anyone looking to work in rural and remote areas, and these projects will go a long way towards getting the best medical staff working in our community.”
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Board Chair Bob McCarthy said these projects will extend the overall life of the primary health care centres on these five islands so that clinical services can be maintained.
“These projects will also improve the technological capabilities on the islands, ensuring they are equipped with the latest modern data connections to enhance use of telehealth facilities,” said Mr McCarthy.
“The use of telehealth will offer opportunities for providing more care in the community setting,”
“I would like to thank Health Minister Steven Miles, the State Government and the Department of Health for their continued and generous support and investment in better health services for the Torres Strait.”
ENDS
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