A group of passionate Burdekin residents are working hard as the link between the community and the public health system, keeping the people of the Burdekin informed with the region’s hospital happenings.
The Burdekin Community Advisory Network (CAN) is one of five networks in the Townsville Hospital and Health Service catchment area.
Consisting of members of the community, services like police and ambulance and local organisations, CAN meets monthly to discuss and advocate for funding, awareness, and efficiency in the health system.
Burdekin CAN, along with the other networks, is represented at the Consumer Advisory Council which looks at issues across the entire Townsville Hospital and Health Service catchment area from a consumer and community perspective.
Barbara Stockdale is a community member who was appointed to the board of CAN since retiring after 41 years of working with the local council.
“I wanted to be involved in something in the community but didn’t know what was already out there in terms of organisations and support providers,” she said.
“I’m still learning something at every meeting and it’s good to see what goes on in the background because I think a lot of people don’t realise how much is actually involved in the running of a hospital.”
CAN are currently campaigning to secure a CT scanner for Ayr Hospital, a campaign that has been ongoing for over three years.
The campaign has received the support of State Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP and over 2,500 locals thanks to a recent petition.
CAN will be hosting a movie night, a premiere of ‘About My Father’, on Thursday, October 26 to raise awareness for the cause.
“The aim is to get the word out to the community to make them aware and have them backing us like they did through the petition,” Ms Stockdale said.
“Even though they know they can’t assist too much, it’s just a matter of them understanding that the community needs a CT scanner to hopefully save a lot of time for the hospitals and a lot of heartache for patients having to travel to Townsville.
“If we’ve got the public understanding why we need it and they know there’s a need for it, then I think that helps the push from the political side of things as well.”
For more information, email THHS_BurdekinCAN@health.qld.gov.au.
WHAT: Burdekin Community Advisory Network Movie Night – ‘About My Father’
WHEN: Thursday, October 26 from 6:00pm
WHERE: Cinema Galaxy, Ayr
TICKETS: Available from Butterfly Blue, Ayr
Members of the Burdekin Community Advisory Network. Back row L-R Councillor John Furnell, Medical Superintendent Dr Ben Lawry, CAN Chair Kaylee Boccalatte, Barbara Stockdale, Senior Sargeant Steve Barton. Front L-R Joanne Barbagallo, Joan Howie, CAN Secretariat Ana Mooney, Rosemarie McLean, Ayr Hospital Director of Nursing/Facility Manager Tracey Gabiola, Karisa Bojack
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