NWHHS Balance From the Acting Health Service Chief Executive

I am pleased to share the Autumn edition of the Balance magazine with you Inside this publication, insights into the first quarter of 2023 at North West HHS are shared, with community activities, staff achievements and general updates about healthcare in the North West region highlighted.

The Building Rural and Remote Health Program is a Palaszczuk Government initiative established to improve infrastructure critical to the delivery of health services in rural and remote communities. An exciting announcement has been made that Normanton Hospital, Camooweal Health Centre and Doomadgee Hospital will be replaced as part of this program The current facilities have served the communities well, but they are ageing and in need of replacement. We are looking forward to this project unfolding and know it will be of great benefit to staff and patients in these communities

Earlier this year we welcomed new intern doctors and graduate nurses and midwives starting their careers in the North West. It is promising to see the number of interns and graduates applying to live and work rurally and know that the unique opportunities and challenges in the region will build a solid foundation for them as they move forward in their careers

The Health Equity Strategy was officially launched in October 2022 and aims to improve health outcomes and ensure life expectancy parity by 2031 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples The Strategy is now moving into the implementation phase with collaborative consultations occurring with other stakeholders to confirm the priorities for the implementation plan over the next three years We look forward to sharing more information as the plan progresses.

I would like to take this time to acknowledge our communities who were impacted by the flooding during this year's wet season A collaborative approach with organisations across the region allowed for supply drops, evacuations where necessary and ensured the safety of those affected. I would also like to acknowledge the North West HHS staff who went above and beyond across our health facilities and stayed in the communities to ensure continuity of care for patients It is through these great challenges that the commitment and resilience of those in the North West shines through

Regards, Sean