October 30, 2018
Opposition Leader and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says the appointment of a community health nurse to Kilkivan twice per week is confirmation of the high level of need for better access to health care in the region.
Mrs Frecklington said this was a huge boost for the Kilkivan community, but it was only through the tenacity and determination of the community that the service had finally been provided.
“The community first came to me in February this year to highlight the need for a community health nurse, but when we asked the Minister for Health for support, he showed no interest and rejected our request,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Instead, this Labor Government has been more focussed on renaming hospitals in Brisbane than realising the health needs of people in regional areas.
“This didn’t stop the people of Kilkivan, though, and with the support of the community, we tabled a petition in State Parliament with 354 signatures, which was a significant achievement for the small township of Kilkivan.
“In June, following the tabling of the petition, we saw a Health Forum held in Kilkivan and finally the evidence became too strong and a three-month trial of a Nurse Navigator was announced.
“I will always push for better services our regional areas and I will always support better access to health services for people in the country.
“The need for a Community Health Nurse in Kilkivan has now been validated and I’m very pleased the township will benefit from the services of the visiting nurse practitioner, Jenny Doherty.
“I welcome her to her new role and I know the community will greatly appreciate her experience and support.
“Once again, I applaud the Kilkivan community for their determination and assistance in pushing for better community health services in their township.
“Congratulations must go to Mavis O’Neill, Jan Kirby and Joyce Koy who first raised this issue with me and then worked very hard to co-ordinate the petition in Kilkivan and Goomeri.
“It goes to show that if you believe in something strongly enough, you can create change.”
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