Primary Health Care (PHC) support for Mornington Island residents enters an historic new era today with the launch of a transformational agreement between Ngarnal Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section)
Mornington Island has a population of about 1,200 people and is the largest of a cluster of 22 Islands that form the Wellesley Island Group in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria.
It’s the traditional land of the Lardil people, and home to the Kaidilt, Yangkaal, Gangalidda and Waanyi who share a rich cultural history to this region and maintain strong connections to country and traditions in this unique part of Australia.
From today, the RFDS (Queensland Section) in partnership with Ngarnal (ACCHS) will provide PHC services to the Mornington Island community, providing an integrated GP, nursing and local Aboriginal health worker support.
Chair of Ngarnal (ACCHS) Susan Sewter said the new partnership will see the RFDS clinical workforce working alongside local community workers from Ngarnal as they transition services from the former provider Gidgee Healing, who are leaving Mornington Island after 10 years.
“We are responding to market failure and high turnover of clinical staff which make it very hard for community to form relationships within their health, as well as impacting connections across providers,” Ms. Sewter said.
“RFDS bring proven expertise in remote primary health care and can deliver a consistent medical and clinical workforce.
“Working in partnership with our local team and strengthening engagement with families and community will ensure culturally safe services that reflect our preferences and respect our ways.
“We are aiming to secure a more integrated way of working to provide more comprehensive care. We can achieve this through a stable clincial workforce that respects the cultural and community knowledge of our local staff and helps to provide pathways for professional development.
“This is about leaning into the strengths of both organisations and ensuring alignment with our Ngarnal Health Model of Care. It will improve the responsiveness and consistency of our services.
“As a community controlled health service we know we need to be prepared to change and work with others to provide the best care, this is a new way to ensure those living on Mornington Island have better equity in health care .”
