THE Access to Health Services project, a Tasmanian government initiative funded by the federal government has commenced at Phoenix Community House.
Narelle Blackie has been engaged as the Regional Project Support Worker.
This project focuses on improving access to health services in rural and remote areas, recognising that these regions, including King Island, face significant disadvantages in accessing healthcare.
As one of 11 regional project support workers employed across Tasmania, Ms Blackie’s role involves directly engaging with the local community to understand their healthcare needs and challenges.
This project adopts a place-based approach, meaning it values the input of someone who resides within the community and understands its unique needs.
This approach contrasts with decisions being made remotely from locations like Hobart or Launceston, which might not fully grasp the local context of King Island.
“There is a strong emphasis on preventative health measures. Preventing health issues before they arise is as crucial as treating existing conditions… We aim to understand what the King Island community needs to live healthier lives and prevent medical problems,” Ms Blackie told King Island Radio.
“Currently, the project is in the consultation phase and is actively seeking input from community members about their King Island healthcare experiences and needs. This involves deep listening and documenting concerns to ensure that the project addresses the real issues faced by residents.”
The project aims to document the island’s healthcare challenges in detail to advocate for better solutions. Early conversations have already revealed issues that are common in the community.
“One prominent issue identified is the loneliness and social isolation experienced by the elderly.
“This demographic is particularly vulnerable and faces significant barriers to accessing healthcare, partly due to technological challenges.
“The elderly might struggle with using smartphones or coordinating complex medical plans, especially if they lack family support.
“While some community members have found PTAS effective, others have reported significant challenges, particularly when travelling to Hobart for specialist care.
The lack of direct flights from King Island to Hobart forces patients to undertake lengthy and complex travel arrangements, which can be especially taxing for those who are sick or elderly.
“Residents face difficulties in accessing specialised care, such as cancer treatments that require frequent visits to larger hospitals off the island.”
Ms Blackie highlights the need for a more organised system where residents can easily find information about available health services.
“There is a noted lack of coordinated and accessible information regarding health services. The Find Help TAS website findhelptas.org.au is a resource that could be better populated with relevant information for King Island residents.”
“I encourage all community members to participate in the consultation process.
“It is important to gather diverse experiences and opinions to inform the project’s direction.
“Residents can share their stories and concerns through direct consultations or by filling out a questionnaire available on the Phoenix Community House’s Facebook community page.
This questionnaire, developed by Swinburne University, is crucial for data collection and understanding the community’s needs While the project might not immediately solve all issues, the collected data and documented concerns will be used to influence government decisions and improve health services on King Island.
“The goal is to create a healthcare system that better serves King Island,” she said.
Residents can contact Narelle at Phoenix House by phone 6462 1746 or by email a2hs@ pch.org.au.