Delivering effective health services for Norfolk Island

Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, Sussan Ley, and Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government, Paul Fletcher, today confirmed health care will be delivered through a multi-purpose service (MPS) on Norfolk Island.

Released today, the Norfolk Island Health Services Plan helped inform the Australian Government about how to best deliver health and aged care services for the Norfolk Island community.

“The MPS model is consistent with the successful delivery of health and aged care services in rural and remote areas across Australia and provides the best possible outcome for the people of Norfolk Island,” Ms Ley said.

“I am committed to ensuring the Government delivers on its promise to enable islanders to access Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and working closely with my colleague, Paul Fletcher, to have as many on-island services accredited to access Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by 1 July 2016.

“Private health insurance will also be available to island residents from 1 July 2016 and my Department is working with insurance providers to have information on policies and products communicated to the local community as soon as possible,” Ms Ley concluded.

“The Norfolk Island Health Services Plan lays out a strategy to deliver the critical elements of health and aged care for the Norfolk Island community.  This includes emergency bays and acute beds where people can be stabilised in times of crisis; a greater focus on primary and community health; and residential aged care and home support designed so Norfolk Island’s elderly can receive appropriate support while living in their own community,” Mr Fletcher said.

Mr Fletcher will be visiting Norfolk Island 28 and 29 January 2016 to meet with a range of people from the community and discuss the current reform process.

For further information visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories/publications

Media Contacts

For Ms Ley:                                                  Steve Block                                                 0428 213 264

For Mr Fletcher:                                          Catherine McDonald                                 0447 066 213