Health Minister Shannon Fentiman announces independent inquiry into TCHHS

The state health minister has responded to a strongly-worded plea for a review into Torres Strait health services by announcing an independent inquiry.

State Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has committed to an independent inquiry into the troubled Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS).

Ms Fentiman said the terms of reference for an inquiry had been sent to community leaders.

“We take any claims from community leaders very seriously, that’s why I acted very quickly to respond to their correspondence,” Ms Fentiman said, referring to a letter that Opposition leader David Crisafulli tabled in parliament.

“I’ll be up there on Wednesday having a range of meetings with leaders and an open community forum and talking with staff members about the best way for this review to happen,” Ms Fentiman said.

Community leaders have called for an independent inquiry, saying there are preventable deaths occurring, and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) mayor Patricia Yusia called for an investigation following the sudden death of a two-year-old girl at Bamaga on June 15.

“NPARC has raised complaints consistently with leadership at the TCHHS with little action,” Cr Yusia said.

“We strongly believe urgent intervention is required to ensure we have a robust health system that can care for our children and communities.

“Our people have the right to good healthcare and we will not settle for subpar health service

delivery,” Cr Yusia said.

State Health Minister Shannon Fentiman is in the Far North this week, and has responded to calls from Torres Strait community leaders for an independent inquiry into the health service. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms Fentiman said there were a range of options regarding the procedure of the proposed review.

“It can be a health service review with an independent advisory group, all of the clinicians can be independent, there’s also an opportunity to discuss whether or not an Office of Health Ombudsman inquiry would be more appropriate, or setting up a task-force like we did with the Rural Maternity task-force a few years ago,” she said.

“I want to talk to the community about what they want to see in a review, I know they want to be involved as community leaders and I think that’s appropriate.”

Ms Fentiman said she would be guided by community leaders to shape the review.

“But there will be a review with independent clinicians that look at the outcomes for the Torres Strait and the key health outcomes, and also the operations of the health and hospital service,” she said.

Asked about the lack of suitable secure accommodation for health workers in remote communities, Ms Fentiman said she was working with Housing Minister Mick de Brenni to address the problem.

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council mayor Patricia Yusia called for an inquiry into the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service following the death of a two-year-old girl at Bamaga on June 15.

“Staff accommodation is critical to attracting clinicians, we have workforce incentives on the table, $70,000 is on the table for people to come and work here, but they need somewhere to live.”

Ms Fentiman said she was confident a new chief executive of TCHHS would be found following the sudden resignation of Beverley Hamerton, three days after she made a statement saying the two-year-old who died received appropriate care and almost a week after opposition leader David Crisafulli tabled a letter from three Torres Strait leaders demanding an independent inquiry into health service.

“I think as you have seen, you know the relationship with community leaders and the TCHHS really had broken down so I completely understand her decision,” Ms Fentiman said.

Ms Fentiman said there were issues with the relationship between community and the TCHHS that went deeper than the chief executive position.

“That’s why I’m heading up to the Torres Strait to hear directly from locals about their experiences.”

She said talks would be held on how to encourage more First Nations people to become health workers.

“Most of the leaders in the Torres Strait are frustrated because there are not enough First Nations people looking after their community and that’s something I want to change,” Ms Fentiman said.

Originally published as Health Minister Shannon Fentiman announces independent inquiry into TCHHS