When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) and its partners' aim was to keep the remote indigenous community of Palm Island safe while also keeping connection to country strong. The challenge was to prepare and enact an effective COVID-19 response which considered the limited access to the Island, transience of the community, varying levels of health literacy and overcrowding. We had to ensure a strong focus on the First Nations people’s connection to culture, country, family, and community, whilst maintaining the community’s safety during a COVID surge. The first COVID-19 case on Palm Island was identified on December 31. Since then, we have worked with all the agencies on Palm Island, both public and private organisations and local, grassroots businesses to ensure effective communication and delivery of services. Partnership with the Palm Island Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), Mayor and CEO have been key to understanding their community and delivering effectively.
Partnering with Palm Island First Nations community to deliver COVID-19 care on country
Summary
Aim
To keep the remote indigenous community of Palm Island safe from COVID-19 while also keeping connection to country strong.
Benefits
To date, it has been a successful COVID-19 response. Vaccination rates monitored locally due to the transient nature of the community indicates 85 per cent of Palm Island residents aged 16 and over have received one vaccination, and 76 per cent have received two and are fully vaccinated. 29 per cent have had their booster. In the most vulnerable group (66 and over) 93 per cent have had one dose and 89% have had two. 63 per cent have been boosted.
Background
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Townsville HHS decided early on that everything would be easier if you partner early, listen intently, and fit the health service delivery to the community you are serving.
