TGPN — Practice Profile

Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service

Background & History

Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services Limited (TAIHS) is one of an increasing number across Australia of self-governing, independent, community-controlled Indigenous organizations providing primary health care services to Indigenous people. TAIHS has grown up out of the desire of local Indigenous people to take control of their own health and of how primary health care services are delivered to and within Indigenous communities in north Queensland.

In line with the principle and practice of self-determination, the general membership of TAIHS has the mandate to determine the broad policies and procedures governing the operations of TAIHS. A Board of Directors is entrusted by the local Indigenous community with the mandate to manage TAIHS on their behalf.

In late 1973, a steering committee of local Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders was set up to plan and seek funding for the establishment of a Medical Centre in Townsville. A part-time clinic, run by a volunteer doctor (Dr Dorothy Cole) and a volunteer nurse (Gracelyn Smallwood), began operating in 1974 at the 201 Wills Street premises donated by the Catholic Church.

Following the announcement of Federal Government funding, a General Meeting was held in early 1975 and elected the first TAIHS governing committee. The TAIHS Medical Centre was officially opened on 12 July 1975 at 551 Flinders Street. In December 1979 TAIHS was registered under the Queensland Companies Act. In July 2001 the Service moved into its new, purpose-built facility at 57-59 Gorden Street. The practice is AGPAL Accredited.

Vision Statement

Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services Limited (TAIHS) aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to take control of their individual, family and community health needs in order to improve their health. Health is understood to mean the total well being of a person and the community including physical, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and economic well-being.

TAIHS will provide a holistic and culturally appropriate approach in its operation as a health service. This includes promoting economic independence and financial security for clients, recognising that ill-health and sickness are often caused by poverty and poor living conditions. TAIHS will emphasize primary health care and preventative medicine as well as treatment in its service to people. TAIHS will be a self-managing organisation and will aim to be as self-supporting as possible.

Aims

• To assist Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other people in need of medical and dental advice and treatment or in need of social support and individual counselling.
• To co-operate with public and private medical, dental and social support services to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people derive full benefit from such services
• To provide a community health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to supplement other services available within the community.

Objectives

• To conduct a clinic suitable for primary medical and dental services
• To increase knowledge among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the principles and practices of good health, ways of improving their own health, and the availability and functions of existing health services.
• To work and affiliate with other organisations to promote the aims and objectives of TAIHS
• To cooperate with other organisations and persons to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to obtain social support services incidental to TAIHS’s core functions.
• To promote measures in such organisations aimed at improving their relations with and accessibility to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• To conduct training courses for volunteer workers or employees of other organisations to enable them to assist in carrying out TAIHS’s objectives.
• To collect data about and conduct research into matters relating to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• To highlight and publicise matters affecting the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and educate the general public and appropriate authorities on these matters.
• To promote knowledge and understanding of the underlying issues and the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the delivery of health services.

Practice Details

Chief Executive Director : Marie Mene
Director Of Operational Services: Angie Akee
Director Of Corporate Services: Dorothy Erichsen

Physical Address:

57 - 59 Gorden Street (Cnr. Gorden and Meenan Sts)
Garbutt
QLD, 4814

Mailing Address:
PO Box 7534G.B.C
Garbutt
QLD, 4814

Contact Details

Practice Manager: Muhammad Khalid
Practice Principal: Board Run
Phone: 07 4759 4000
Fax: 07 4759 4055 [4759 4066 for medical info]
Email: practicemanager@taihs.net.au
 

Medical Unit Operating Hours

Monday to Friday : 8.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday: 8.00am to 12.30pm

Dental Unit Operating Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Building

Main Clinic and separate “Mums and Babies” annex
Waiting Rooms: 2
Consulting Rooms: 9
Treatment Rooms: 3

Doctors

Dr. Shatendra Gupta (Medical Director)

Dr Shamaila Saeed (GP)

Dr Mehwish Jabeen (GP)

Dr P. SRI Piriyadharsan (GP)

Dentist

Dr Sireesh Pathikonda

Hyginist

Tina Sanghla

Other Staff

Nursing: Clinical Coordinator, Mums and Babies coordinator, Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers

Administration: Reception, IT Support, Medical admin, Drivers

Services

GP Clinic

Mums and Babies Clinic

Dental Hygiene Clinic

Eye Health Clinic (Visiting Optometrist)

Diabetes & Podiatry Clinic (Visiting Endocrinologist)

Social and Mental Health (psychologist and visiting psychiatrist)

Page last modified: 20 Feb 2009

 
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© 2007 Townsville Division of General Practice Ltd trading as Townsville General Practice Network
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3/106 Dalrymple Service Road, Townsville, Qld
PO Box 7780, GARBUTT BC, Qld 4814
Tel: +61 7 4725 8915 — Fax: +61 7 4725 8921
E-Mail: contact@tgpn.com.au
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