I am pleased to release the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service (IOTHS) Strategic Plan for 2020-2025, following extensive community consultation.
A copy of the plan is available on the department's website at https://www.regional.gov.au/territories/publications/index.aspx#anc_iot.
The Strategic Plan sets out the goals, objectives and aspirations for the delivery of health services in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) for the next five years.
It outlines the IOTHS commitments to the residents of the IOT, including delivering a high quality, patient-centred, holistic health service that supports physical, mental, social, spiritual and emotional health and wellbeing.
The Strategic Plan outlines four key priorities for the IOTHS over the period from 2020-2025. These are:
- preventative health care, chronic disease and mental health
- caring for our seniors
- skilled people
- safety, quality and infrastructure.
IOTHS facilities include a 24-hour primary healthcare, acute and emergency services on Christmas Island and health clinics in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The department commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to enquire into, and report on, potential reforms to the IOTHS. PwC's Final Report on the Indian Ocean Health Services (PwC Report), released in March 2019, included an assessment of community health needs, analysis of health services in comparable remote communities, and strategic initiatives including options to expand aged care at the Christmas Island Hospital.
The Strategic Plan was informed by the findings of the PwC Report, and feedback from consultation with the Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands communities, Health Advisory Groups, IOTHS staff and the Western Australian Government.
It includes developing an aged care strategy considering the need for dedicated aged care and respite facilities, and increased in-home care. The Plan also includes reviewing the program of visiting specialists annually to confirm it is meeting the changing needs of our community.
The values of the Health Service - Committed to service, Ethical, Respectful, Accountable - will continue to underpin our goal of keeping residents healthy for the whole of their lives.
The Australian Government is committed to providing high quality patient-centred health services to the IOT communities.
