Community stories: 26 February 2025
Delivering essential healthcare services across remote communities in Queensland can be challenging. With long distances between patients and providers, limited infrastructure, and the inconvenience of regular in-person visits, accessing timely care and ensuring continuity of service can be tough.
Goondir Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Health Services (Goondir) know these challenges intimately. Goondir, which means Medicine Man in the local Aboriginal language, offers culturally appropriate, community-controlled healthcare to more than 4,000 Indigenous people spread across over 72,000 km² — an area covering 4% of the state. With clinics in Oakey, Dalby, Chinchilla and St George, the organisation needed a way to maintain strong connections with clients who live far from their centres, so they turned to technology to help bridge the communication gap.
Thanks to a $10,000 grant from FRRR’s Telstra Connected Communities program, Goondir invested in a state-of-the-art video conferencing system to enhance service delivery. The funds were used to install a Tap Touch Screen, Scribe Whiteboard Camera and a Tap Room Scheduling Panel in the board room of Goondir’s Dalby clinic. The digital tools provided reliable, high-definition video and audio communication over a secure network.
The new system reduced the need for long-distance travel and enabled clients to engage in consultations from the comfort of their own communities, where they felt more at ease. It also allowed clinicians to pick up on non-verbal cues, carry out more frequent check-ins and offer better intervention and education programs.
Staff reported that the technology was a ‘game-changer’, streamlining communication, collaboration and overall service delivery, while helping them form stronger relationships with clients.
Beyond client consultations, the video conferencing system also enhanced internal operations. It enabled live training sessions for staff across Goondir’s four permanent clinics, allowing for professional development. Recorded discussions and training materials can now be shared across teams, strengthening the organisation’s overall capacity.
Although initial setup and staff training presented some challenges, any teething problems were quickly addressed with IT support during the transition phase.
Today, the system stands as a powerful tool for connection, improving healthcare access and enhancing liveability for Indigenous communities across the Western Downs region. By embracing digital solutions, Goondir has ensured that even the most remote clients can stay connected to essential healthcare services — wherever they call home.
