Staff & funds for clinical training in NQ
4 JULY 2017: Work is progressing on the establishment of the North Queensland Regional Training Hub, which will provide medical students the ability to study, work and live in Mackay and Townsville. Significant progress has been made in establishing the Hubs, and the James Cook University will focus on a ‘grow your own’ model to facilitate regionally based vocational training and career paths.
Local Drug Action Team applications now open
The second round of applications are now open for local organisations to join the Liberal National Government’s Local Drug Action Team program.Community groups across the country are joining forces to deliver targeted local action to help tackle drug use and addiction.We need to work together to fight the scourge of ice and other drugs which cause so much harm to individuals, families and our communities.The program is an initiative under the Liberal National Government’s four year, $298 million investment to reduce the harms of ice, drugs and alcohol.
$15 million for cyclone community recovery
THE announcement of almost $15 million in Category C community recovery funding for Local Government Areas (LGAs) including Mackay, Whitsunday, Isaac and Rockhampton is a sensible support step for those who have been adversely affected by Cyclone Debbie.This further level of Category C Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding provides for such initiatives as a personal support program to provide counselling for those experiencing personal and emotional difficulties, and financial counselling for those adjusting to changed financial circumstances.Another important element of this additional funding will be the provision of specialist mental health services and support for those experiencing severe distress and mental health disorders.It can be particularly appropriate for those with existing mental health problems (including children), and for emergency responders.
Who should call North Queensland home?
21 APRIL 2017: Decentralising government can bring a lot of benefits if it is managed well so I'm asking North Queenslanders to help identify the best options and then I can lobby for North Queensland to be a beneficiary of the Liberal National Government’s decentralisation push.
Support and ovarian cancer treatments needed
8 FEBRUARY 2017: I want people diagnosed with ovarian cancer and their families to get the support they need and I will be advocating on their behalf for the funding that can improve quality of life and help to extend life. I will be facilitating meetings with the Primary Health Network and also the Mackay Hospitals and Health Service to see what funding might be available for a support network in North Queensland.
Children given access to life-changing CF drug
7 FEBRUARY 2017: From today, children aged two to five will have immediate and free access to Kalydeco® (ivacaftor) – a life-changing drug that addresses the causes of cystic fibrosis rather than just the symptoms. Previously, only children six years of age and older with the G551D or other class III gating mutations had subsidised access to Kalydeco.
Ovarian cancer drug subsidised
1 FEBRUARY 2017: From today, Australians have subsidised access to new drugs for ovarian and lung cancer – which would otherwise cost more than $100,000 per course of treatment – but are now available for just $6.30 for concessional patients and $38.80 for general patients.