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Aurukun benefits from the appointment of eager GP Vic boss to lead NQBP into future
THE Aurukun community now has direct access to a GP after the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service launched a regular service in the remote community.
Dr Sharleen Bowes began working from the Aurukun Primary Health Care Centre every second week in March and is providing much-needed medical support to the community.
Dr Bowes was previously working as a GP on the Sunshine Coast but was keen to relocate to be closer to her Weipa-based partner.
She initially worked as a locum at Weipa Hospital before taking the Aurukun outreach position.
Dr Bowes said she was thrilled to bring general practice care closer to home for Aurukun community members.
“I think the best thing is the variety of presentations which are very different to what GPs would see in a metropolitan area,” she said.
“There is a lot of scope to engage with consumers and work with them on both chronic disease management and preventative health actions.”
Dr Bowes completed her medical training in Melbourne but was always interested in rural and remote work and encouraged other young medicos to consider making the move.
“I sound like a Nike ad, but just do it!” she said.
“It probably won’t be anything like what they thought it would be, but I am enjoying it so much and it has been such a privilege providing care to the people of Aurukun.”
TCHHS executive general manager Michael Catt said he was ex- cited the Aurukun community had access to a regular GP on site in community.
“We are dedicated to ensuring those living in our remote communities have access to health care as close to home as possible,” he said.
“Dr Bowes’ regular visits to Aurukun provide that community an exceptional level of continuity of care, supporting the already excellent work of staff based at the Aurukun PHCC.
“We rely on staff who are passionate about rural and remote health care and continue to actively recruit for positions across our region.”
NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports has announced the appointment of Brendan Webb as its new CEO.
Chair Jane McTaggart said the board welcomed Mr Webb, who is currently CEO of Ports Victoria, back to NQBP and back to Queensland.
“As a government-owned port authority, our ports and our people deliver essential port services facilitating billions of dollars of trade worldwide for the benefit of the people of Queensland,” Ms McTaggart said.
“We believe that Brendan is the right person to lead NQBP to deliver on our long-term vision to be global leaders in the sustainable facilitation of port trade and further the economy of Queensland.”
Ms McTaggart said that as well as a deep understanding of NQBP and its ports, Mr Webb had extensive commercial experience, having held roles in heavy haulage and mining support sectors.
She said the new CEO would start in early October and would be based in NQBP’s Mackay head office, looking after ports across the region, including Weipa.
The board thanked acting CEO Belinda Kenny for her leadership during the recruitment period. She will return to her role as NQBP’s chief financial officer in October.
