New partnership supporting Indigenous cancer care!

September 10, 2025

New partnership supporting Indigenous cancer care!

Theresa Simpson – CEO Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan joined by TCHHS Director of Nurse Navigation Rachel Sargeant, TCHHS Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke and TCHHS Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Jacob Walsh.

Patients from the Torres Strait and Cape York undergoing treatment for cancer will receive additional support through their healthcare journey after the launch of a joint project between Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan.

“We know how onerous and overwhelming it can be for a patient from the Torres Strait, Cape York or the Northern Peninsula Area to leave their home community and be required to stay in Cairns or other larger centres to receive treatment,” Mookai Rosie CEO Theresa Simpson commented.

“Our organisation will be able to deliver social and emotional wellbeing care to these patients through our dedicated and experienced social work team.”

“Our organisation is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families who require support with their social and mental health.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life-changing and we want to make sure these patients feel supported and understood while they navigate their health journey in a potentially unfamiliar environment.”

The service comes under the federal government’s ‘Partnerships for Culturally Safe Cancer Care’ project, connecting cancer services with First Nations-led organisations to improve access to culturally safe and community-controlled care.

The government, working with Cancer Australia, aims to “reduce the burden of disease experienced by First Nations people”, playing a role in the work towards Outcome 1 of Closing the Gap; ensuring First Nations people enjoy long and health lives.

This service will be a great help in supporting our mob navigate cancer journeys away from home, whether that be prevention and early detection, through to treatment, survivorship and palliative care.

Congratulations to everyone involved!