Health Minister agrees there is a lack of Indigenous representation in the Torres Strait
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has agreed there is a lack of Indigenous representation throughout the Torres and Cape Hospital Health Service as she confirmed the timeline for an investigation into the under-fire organisation.
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Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has agreed that there is a lack of Indigenous representation throughout the Torres and Cape Hospital Health Service and confirmed an investigation into the body will be independent, with hopes for it to finish by the end of the year.
Briefly in Cairns on Thursday on her way back to Brisbane from the Torres Strait, Ms Fentiman addressed the media and confirmed an investigation into the organisation off the back of calls from Torres Strait leaders will begin as soon as the terms of reference are written.
“One thing I heard loud and clear was they do want to see much more emphasis on preventive health and primary health as well,” Ms Fentiman said.
“I’ve learnt a lot about ensuring the Torres Model of Care is central to the health and hospital system.”
Ms Fentiman acknowledged regional leaders’ calls for the return of the Torres Model of Care.
“It started in the 90s and it was all about empowering First Nations health workers in primary health centres across the islands and being able to make those decisions,” Ms Fentiman said.
“There has never been a decision to not have a Torres Model of Care, but we have, I think, lost sight of having Torres Strait Islanders in decision making positions, and I’ve committed to working with the community on that.”
Ms Fentiman also stated that the independent investigation would be inclusive.
“We’ve agreed that there will be a health services review with independent clinicians, one of whom will be a Torres Strait Islander, one of whom will be Aboriginal, as well as other experts into health outcomes and the health and hospital service, and alongside that there will be a special task force established with local community representation,” Ms Fentiman said.
“This group also wants to be involved in implementing any recommendations that comes out of that review, and I think that’s an excellent way forward.”
It comes after details of a redacted letter revealed a coalition of Torres Strait leaders had called for an administrator to take over the running of the service.
“I think the community have now accepted that it’s not the health board (conducting the review), and they just want to see a really good review,” Ms Fentiman said.
“With the chief executive resigning, a lot of heat may have been released with that.
“Now, with a new chief executive, there’s an opportunity to regain that trust within the community.”
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Originally published as Health Minister agrees there is a lack of Indigenous representation in the Torres Strait
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