Board of Aboriginal Health Service welcomes administrator

The Board of Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service has said it welcomes the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s decision to appoint a grant administrator to oversee CAHS’ performance of the relevant grant activities and management of relevant Commonwealth Grant Agreements.

The Board of CAHS said it was committed to fully co-operating with the grant administrator and with a forensic audit that will be conducted from the 2022-23 financial year to the present.

“We are confident that CAHS has at all times operated in alignment with the requirements of Commonwealth and State grant funding and we reaffirm our commitment to strong governance, operational integrity and the communities we serve.

“We always welcome the opportunity to obtain external independent insights and commit to acting on any recommendations arising from lessons learned as part of the process.

Current services not disrupted

“We see this process as an opportunity to directly inform the Commonwealth of significant issues facing rural health care such as a shortage of available qualified medical staff which is having an impact on our operations.

“The Board would like to reassure its clients that current services will not be disrupted by the Commonwealth’s decision and will continue as usual.”

CAHS said its unwavering commitment to serving its clients and the region remained unchanged and the Board was proud of the advancements in health care that it has been able to achieve in recent years delivering care to 40% of the West and Far West region of NSW.

While this process is ongoing, the Board would not be making any further comment on this matter.