Earlier this month, the JCTS Board visited the Torres and Cape region to meet key health service providers and community members. This was an important visit as JCTS is committed to working respectfully with community to further understand how we can support registrars, supervisors and GP training facilities in the region.
During the visit, JCTS Board Members met with staff members at Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation. The team were welcomed by Traditional Owner, Darryl Murgha with a Smoking Ceremony and spent valuable time with Dr Tionne Seden and Dr Rebecca Fatnowna, two GP registrars who are based at Gurriny.
The JCTS Board also met with staff from Wuchopperen Health Services and listened to feedback about their experiences with registrar placements and how JCTS can continue to promote the value and impact registrars can have from choosing to work in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).
The trip included a visit to Thursday Island, where the team were welcomed by Uncle Saila Savage and Aunty Betty Tekahika. They attended meetings with a number of key stakeholders on the Island including the Mayor, Elsie Seriat, Dr Krystyna De Lange and Elder Uncle Phillip Mills and Maleta Abednego, who illustrated and shared the value of the Torres Model of Care.
Back on the mainland, the Board Members also had an opportunity to meet with Renee Williams and Marita Sagigy from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and the CEO of the Torres Health Indigenous Corporation.
Anthony Paulson, JCTS Deputy General Manager said:
“This experience was a wonderful opportunity to meet with health services and community members who are engaging with our GP registrars and supervisors, while better understanding their needs relating to GP training. We hope this is the first of many visits to the Torres and Cape region.”