Changes in attack on killer diseases

THE State Government has committed to relinquishing its primary health responsibilities in several Cape York communities amid criticism chronic illness in the region is at “crisis” point.

Apunipima Cape York Health Council, which is funded by both state and federal governments, will swing in to provide “a more culturally sensitive service” for indigenous patients.

An action plan for transition will be completed by early November, providing the green light for the transition to be implemented by July 1, 2017.

Following a meeting with Health Minister Cameron Dick last week, Apunipima chairman Thomas Hudson said his organisation “couldn’t do any worse” than the department.

“People are going to too many funerals. There are too many people on dialysis.

“There are too many people being forced to travel to Cairns,” he said.

“We’ve got the statistics to prove we can do it cheaper, we can stretch the dollars and still do it better.

“All we’ve asked is that they give us a go.”

Mr Hudson said, based on Apunipima’s statistics, residents of Cape York lived 23 years less on average than the national norm.

Mr Dick said the transition of primary healthcare was more than a decade in the making and the Government was committed to closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous health.

“The plan will determine the communities that lend themselves to transition, the appropriate models of care and the time frames for implementation,” he said.