A large part of this program focuses on recognition and appreciation.

Last Friday, one of our nursing leaders walked around all the wards and asked the staff the question, “Is there anyone that I should recognise for doing great work?”

The nurses and midwives offered many different names within the organisation, but one of our nurse navigators mentioned a doctor who works at Gidgee healing whom we felt deserved some public recognition: Dr Josh Stevens.

The nurse navigator shared how impressed she was with his communication skills when discussing health matters with Indigenous people.

She said he was a great communicator, caring for individuals and notifying other health providers of any issues they should be aware of.

He also demonstrates at every level exemplary engagement skills when dealing with providers, patients and family members, fostering reciprocal patient engagement.

He builds trust and a sense of shared responsibility for patient wellness.

The nurses and midwives at Mount Isa Hospital thought it would be good to share this with the community, to encourage Dr Josh Stevens to keep going with his excellent work.

Michelle Garner

Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery and Clinical Services

North West Hospital and Health Service

We can only grow strong, positive young people from our child protection system with the help and guidance of committed people who open their hearts and homes to our most vulnerable children.  

Our carers know the kids who come into their care may stay only briefly.

But there’s nothing temporary about the love, dedication and stability carers give to vulnerable children when it’s needed the most. 

While being a foster or kinship carer isn’t easy, it’s an essential part of the system that protects our children. 

The greatest concern carers have is that they are not being heard.

They want to be valued and, most importantly, viewed as part of the overall care team for children who cannot live at home due to abuse and neglect. 

Instead of simply listening to carers, Labor’s embattled Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman recently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on “Partners In Care” workshops in the seven departmental regions. Some of these workshops were poorly attended. 

I understand the report highlighting the outcomes of these workshops paints a very grim picture of foster carers’ satisfaction. 

Unfortunately, like every other damning report into this failed Minister and Government, I have no doubt Labor will try to gloss over this document, or outright bury it.

 Ros Bates MP

LNP Shadow Minister for Child Safety

Hey, Mount Isa.

I'm pretty sure every one of you knows a gay person.

Do you think they should be ridiculed, harassed, imprisoned or executed?

This has been the historical treatment of homosexuals.

If you wish to continue that persecution, I do not want to know you.

Or your vindictive gods and venal spokesmen.

George Harley 

Mount Isa