Dr Steve Sutcliffe, Meghan Draper, Karyn Greensill and Gina Hogan celebrate the purchase of cardiac outreach equipment for remote parts of Cape York and the Torres Strait through the success of the 2024 QSuper Cardiac Challenge. Photo: Supplied.
A yearly convoy of wheels and lycra has delivered a significant win for remote Cape York and Torres Strait cardiac patients.
More than $147,300 worth of equipment for cardiac outreach has been provided to a team of clinicians who regularly conduct clinics throughout the far north of the state to ensure patient care for those who cannot travel to Cairns.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service cardiac outreach service clinical co-ordination manager Karyn Greensill said some of the equipment would travel with technicians, while some would remain in places like Weipa, Cooktown, Bamaga and Thursday Island.
“Providing cardiac service and diagnostic tests closer to home reduces the need for the patient to have to travel long distances to Cairns, providing care closer to home wherever we can to also free up resources in Cairns to provide more acute services,” she said.
“We have provided care in 36 locations, from Mission Beach to Yorke Island and west to Georgetown, covering an area of more than 270,000 square kilometres; we have the highest number of patients seen by any cardiac outreach service in the state and I’m sure this year will be no different.”
The equipment was purchased through the fundraising efforts of 2024 QSuper Cardiac Challenge participants who pedalled from Cairns to Cooktown over three days in September.
The annual event is hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, with cyclists already preparing for this year’s 333-kilometre trek to Cooktown.
Foundation chief executive officer Gina Hogan said the equipment was proof the event was still making a difference after 19 years.
“People in remote parts of Cape York and the Torres Strait might not be as visible to us in the cities, but their health concerns are just as valid,” she said.
“Being able to provide equipment to take the health care to the patient, we think that’s a great outcome.”
