David Crisafulli and First Nations leaders call for review into Torres and Cape health system

First nations community leaders from across the Cape and Torres Strait have joined voices to demand an independent review of the “neglect” of essential primary healthcare after a meeting on Monday.

First nations community leaders from across the Cape and Torres Strait have joined voices to demand an independent review of the “neglect” of essential primary healthcare after a meeting on Monday.

The meeting, which involved a Coalition of Torres Strait First Nations leaders and leader of opposition David Crisafulli, heard calls for an independent review of local health services, held at arm’s length from Queensland Health.

The review needed to include terms of reference including consultation with local residents who have been directly impacted by the Queensland Health crisis, leaders said.

Mr Crisafulli also called on the Premier and Health Minister to immediately visit to listen and act on alarming concerns raised by the community.

“Queenslanders deserve a world-class health system no matter where they live and Torres Strait community leaders say they are not receiving the health services they need and deserve,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli is pictured with Chair of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, outside the Thursday Island Hospital. Picture: supplied

“The Premier and Health Minister must urgently come to the Torres Strait together to address the chaos and crisis that has engulfed the health system.

“A review must be conducted independently, this cannot be another inside-job that is never publicly released.”

Mr Crisafulli said it was clear the Labor Government cared more about announcements and symbolism than fixing the dire state of the health system in the Torres Strait.

“This community deserves better than having their concerns ridiculed and ignored,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“There are genuine problems here and the fact the head of the Health Service is gone shows urgent action is required.”

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the review, announced in early June, was just beginning, and she was working closely with the Health Ombudsman.

“I’ll be heading up there in the next couple of weeks, and I’m really looking forward to it, to ensure we have these conversations and move forward together,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Obviously, when locals raise this issue we take it seriously.”

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Beverley Hamerton.

Ms Fentiman said she was happy to publicly release findings of the review.

“Obviously, if there is patient details we will work with families to make sure we can release them but I’m very happy to release the key findings,” she said.

Mr Crisafulli’s visit to the Torres Strait comes off the back of a May 30 letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk demanding a review of health services across the region.

Torres Strait Regional Authority chair Pedro Stephen, Torres Shire Council mayor Yen Loban and Torres Strait Island Regional Council mayor Philemon Mosby signed the letter imploring the premier to address “a high prevalence of avoidable deaths” due to what they describe as Queensland Health neglect.

Last week, the “preventable” death of a two-year-old child in Bamaga prompted a call for an inquest by Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council mayor Patricia Yusia.

“The loss of a child to preventable illness in 2023 is inexcusable, and this is not the first time that our health system has failed the children of the NPA.”

Two days later, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service chief executive Beverly Hamerton announced her resignation.

The board said Ms Hamerton was resigning for personal reasons, effective from June 23.

Dean Davidson has replaced Ms Hamerton as the interim CEO of the health service.

Originally published as David Crisafulli and First Nations leaders call for review into Torres and Cape health system