RHYS THOMAS
PATIENTS across the Far North will be able to receive quicker and more efficient care through a new centre that was opened in Cairns on Monday.
The Care Coordination Hub is a joint initiative between the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS), as well as the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC).
The centre has been built to serve as a “one-stop shop” for complex patient support and has been developed as a single point of contact to help patients navigate the health system.
Acting TCHHS chief executive Dean Davidson said this centre is proof of a good partnership between both Health Services for the betterment of local patients.
“This is about us providing services and a coordinated care program, so what that means is instead of people coming down for multiple appointments they can be prioritised and coordinated,” her said.
“Instead of a patient coming down for three appointments over a four-week period they can come down for a number of appointments in one week.
“It is equally important to look at prioritisation of care and looking at where care can be provided closer to home, so at one of our primary healthcare centres or even in the home of the patient.”
Patient Experience Officers will be working in the new hub to ensure that patients, from numerous cultural backgrounds, are being provided with culturally safe care.
Their primary role is to provide assistance with appointments, accommodation and also travel for patients.
“I believe this centre will have a major impact and we are already seeing the positives of it,” Mr Davidson said.
QAIHC general manager Robert Skeen said there were three major points the new centre was operating under, collaboration, First Nations leadership and cultural capability.
“These points are so important because our (QAIHC)’s community control sector does an expertise around primary and preventative healthcare,” he said.
“It is important for us and our patients to have access to healthcare regardless of where they live – all Australians should have access to the best level of healthcare possible.
“There are cultural capabilities and protocols that need to be followed for a mob who come in from the Torres and Cape or the Hinterlands, languages, and family responsibilities.”
The Care Coordination Hub is located at 163 Draper Street Cairns.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Tropic Wings celebrates win and Crime and safety top concerns for FNQ youth.
