Springborg Shamefully Widens The Gap In Indigenous Health

Media Release. 

 

Shadow Health Minister Jo-Ann Miller says Minister for Health Cuts and Closures Lawrence Springborg is widening the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait health outcomes by slashing 35 frontline health positions in the Torres Strait.

Mrs Miller said last week Mr Springborg admitted that he instructs the health boards to make savage cuts and now he must take responsibility for slashing frontline health services for the most disadvantaged Queenslanders on remote island communities.

“Because of cuts in funding by Mr Springborg, the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Hospital and Health Service has to axe 35 current health positions, including 13 Aboriginal health worker, 13 nursing and two midwife positions,” Mrs Miller said.

“In last year’s budget Mr Springborg cut $2.4 million from the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula board, which has resulted in these cuts to the smallest and most remote health region in the state which covers the Thursday Island and Bamaga hospitals.

“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population already suffer a disproportionate burden of illness, by slashing health services the LNP Government is only going to further disadvantage this community.

“The board was responsible for providing a range of primary and community health services including chronic disease management, maternal and child health services men’s and women’s health services, oral health, post-acute rehabilitation aged care general home and community care services and family support for 11,000 people.

“With these savage cuts Mr Springborg and the LNP Government is widening the gap in Indigenous health and pushing Queensland backwards,” she said.

Mrs Miller said one of the key local positions to be cut is the Clinical Nurse Consultant for Rheumatic Heart Disease.

“This is outrageous as remote Indigenous communities are among the highest suffers of rheumatic heart disease in the world,” Mrs Miller said.

“These latest health cuts by Mr Springborg are an international disgrace and a shameful example of how this LNP Government treats Queenslanders in remote communities.”