| Work is underway on the construction of a purpose-built house for health workers on the APY Lands, as part of safety enhancements stemming from Gayle’s Law. The Malinauskas Labor Government has invested $5.2 million as part of an agreement with the Nganampa Health Council (NHC) to improve safety for health workers, nurses and medical officers on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. The funding, being delivered over four years, is being used to strengthen workers’ safety and maintain quality clinical services in the far northwest region. It includes the expansion of the ‘On Call Support Worker Program’ which trains second responders who accompany health practitioners during after-hours callouts. Gayle’s Law, named after murdered nurse Gayle Woodford, came into force in 2019, requiring health practitioners in remote areas of South Australia to be accompanied by a second responder when attending out-of-hours or unscheduled callouts. In the past year, 17 additional on-call support workers have been recruited for the APY Lands, bringing the total number to 44, with further recruitment underway. The agreement also includes funding for the construction of purpose-built staff housing complete with appropriate safety precautions in the Umuwa community to support this expanded model of care. The prefabricated building is being constructed in Alice Springs and is due for delivery later this year. Health Minister Chris Picton has been visiting the APY Lands this week to see first-hand how this agreement is supporting health workers, and to visit the site where this important housing infrastructure will be located. The funding will support NHC to continue to meet the requirements of Gayle’s Law, which was passed in 2017. Health Minister Chris Picton said, “Gayle’s Law was prompted by an horrendous murder that exposed gaps in the safety of our hard-working remote nurses.“ “We must do all we can to better protect our regional health workers and this agreement will help deliver important safety enhancements.“ “I have been visiting the APY Lands this week to see first-hand the work being done to better protect our dedicated rural health workers.“ “We are proud to deliver this agreement in partnership with Nganampa Health Council as it will provide health workers in regional areas the support they deserve.” Nganampa Health Council, Health Service Manager, Sue Haines said, “We welcome this opportunity to partner with the South Australian government on this important initiative providing health practitioners with 24-hour access to an appropriately trained, managed and resourced second responder workforce.“ “This will enable Nganampa Health Council to continue to deliver quality primary health care services to the communities on the APY Lands.“ “Gayle’s Law is an important piece of legislation that was brought in to strengthen the safety of remote health workers and this funding will support us to do exactly that.“ Department for Health and Wellbeing, Director Aboriginal Health, Tanya McGregor said, “This is an important milestone that will be an employment opportunity for Anangu whilst providing support to health workers living and working on the APY Lands. It will ensure access to additional on-call resources to support their safety whilst caring for community members out of hours. “ “I would like to thank Nganampa Health Council for its commitment to providing comprehensive primary health care safely in the community and working with SA Health to deliver important improvements in health for the local community.“ |
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Categories: COOBER PEDY News & Events, FAR NORTH News & Events
Coober Pedy Regional Times 