Dr LIM - 1998-10-15
Members of this House will remember that the Port Keats Health Service hit the headlines late last year when Territory Health Services had to withdraw nurses from the community because of violent incidents. In February, the Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services told this House that THS was working with the community for a different model of health care delivery. I now ask the Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services, can he tell us what is happening in health services delivery at Port Keats?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, here is a good news story for a community that is often the subject of unhappy media reports. May I say at the outset that I thank the local member, the member for Victoria River, for his efforts in helping me and Territory Health Services work through this difficult situation with the Port Keats community.
Last Christmas we had to withdraw nurses because of violent incidents in that community. I undertook at that time to look at the model that was in place and see if we could come out of this with an opportunity to come up with some sort of a better model.
I am pleased to say that when we consulted with the community, one thing that did become apparent was that there was a lack of ownership or involvement from the community, which felt essentially shut out on decisions regarding what sort of services were provided by the health clinic and what sort of priority was put on different aspects of their own health care. We have taken that on board, worked closely with the community and have now set up a different service delivery model which I believe is leading to a much more trusting relationship between Territory Health Services and the Port Keats community.
The elders are taking a far more proactive role in identifying health problems which affect their community and also in identifying possible solutions and are developing a very good relationship with THS.
The model that we have put in place includes the addition of a manager who is a member of the local community. That manager’s position, for the moment, is backed by an onsite mentor, because not only does that manager act as the conduit for the opinions of the community but he also requires some administrative and managerial skills which he is being trained up in by the mentor. The mentor is being funded through DEETYA.
There were 8 nurses when we withdrew those nurses from Port Keats last Christmas. There are currently 4 nursing staff, 7 health workers, a driver, an administration clerk and an administration trainee - that position is being funded by CDEP - and there is also a cleaner at the Port Keats service. Also I can report that after hours call-out costs in that community, with a good service delivery model put in place, have dropped by $5000 per month.
It is leading to a far more efficient service, but more than that I think that the relationship and the involvement of the community and now more ownership of the clinic is one of the best outcomes, and I congratulate the community for working with THS to get a result in this situation.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, here is a good news story for a community that is often the subject of unhappy media reports. May I say at the outset that I thank the local member, the member for Victoria River, for his efforts in helping me and Territory Health Services work through this difficult situation with the Port Keats community.
Last Christmas we had to withdraw nurses because of violent incidents in that community. I undertook at that time to look at the model that was in place and see if we could come out of this with an opportunity to come up with some sort of a better model.
I am pleased to say that when we consulted with the community, one thing that did become apparent was that there was a lack of ownership or involvement from the community, which felt essentially shut out on decisions regarding what sort of services were provided by the health clinic and what sort of priority was put on different aspects of their own health care. We have taken that on board, worked closely with the community and have now set up a different service delivery model which I believe is leading to a much more trusting relationship between Territory Health Services and the Port Keats community.
The elders are taking a far more proactive role in identifying health problems which affect their community and also in identifying possible solutions and are developing a very good relationship with THS.
The model that we have put in place includes the addition of a manager who is a member of the local community. That manager’s position, for the moment, is backed by an onsite mentor, because not only does that manager act as the conduit for the opinions of the community but he also requires some administrative and managerial skills which he is being trained up in by the mentor. The mentor is being funded through DEETYA.
There were 8 nurses when we withdrew those nurses from Port Keats last Christmas. There are currently 4 nursing staff, 7 health workers, a driver, an administration clerk and an administration trainee - that position is being funded by CDEP - and there is also a cleaner at the Port Keats service. Also I can report that after hours call-out costs in that community, with a good service delivery model put in place, have dropped by $5000 per month.
It is leading to a far more efficient service, but more than that I think that the relationship and the involvement of the community and now more ownership of the clinic is one of the best outcomes, and I congratulate the community for working with THS to get a result in this situation.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016