Minister for Health Natasha Fyles will fight for stronger health outcomes for Territorians, travelling to Brisbane to attend the National Health Ministerial Council today.

Ms Fyles said she will use this opportunity to ensure that the Territory has a voice on the national stage about issues that affect the health and well-being of Territorians, particularly the most disadvantaged in our community.

“All Territorians are entitled to access high quality health services and I will be fighting hard to ensure that our needs are heard at COAG,” Ms Fyles said.

“One of the strategic topics for discussion, of particular importance to the Northern Territory is the development of the next iteration of the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013- 2023.

“The Territory Labor Government will collaborate at a national level on this plan and I will be ensuring that the NT and our partners are adequately engaged in its development.”

Topics for discussion at COAG will be:

• Family Violence and Primary Care
• Finalisation of the 5th National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
• Improved mental health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Stronger penalties for false health practitioner offences
• Impact of mandatory reporting of medical practitioners
• Safety and Quality

Ms Fyles said she will be ensuring that the Northern Territory’s position on long-term health reform is clearly understood with her State and Federal counterparts.

“Servicing the health needs of people in the Northern Territory is particularly challenging and complex with a unique operating environment featuring a small, vastly spread population,” Ms Fyles said.

“It is critical that the Territory’s unique challenges and high levels of chronic disease are considered in any health reforms now and into the future.”

Media contact: Aimee Cadan 0400 277 244