1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: But joining us on the line, I think to talk 2 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: about this from a much more grassroots perspective. It is 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:09,479 Speaker 1: the am SANCE CEO John Pattison. Good morning to you, John, 4 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: Good morning Katie. 5 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 2: Happy Wednesday to you and the listeners. 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: Thank you. Now John, for those out there listening who 7 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: maybe don't understand exactly who am SENT represents, firstly, can 8 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: you explain that to them? 9 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:30,479 Speaker 2: Sure? The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory is the 10 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 2: peak body with the peak body that obviously advocates and 11 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 2: does other heavy lifting work with governments etc. Around workforce, 12 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 2: all those big chronic illnesses, more funding, more service delivery, 13 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 2: ensuring when we have big serious pandemics like we're currently 14 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: experiencing with the COVID pandemic, that we ensure that the 15 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:04,639 Speaker 2: most dot population here of an order territory a given 16 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:11,279 Speaker 2: priority to be vaccinated. And hence that's currently and rightly 17 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 2: so occupying my mind and my attention, you know, day in, 18 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 2: day out for the last coming up two years now. 19 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: So look, I heard that, I heard the discussion let's 20 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 2: go to the data stuff. So I mentioned recently that 21 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 2: I turn don't have the appropriate and rather data at 22 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: my fingertips kdie and it's about I guess, I guess 23 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: the systems that and those that are collecting the data 24 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 2: from a commult and I think part of the problem 25 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: is we've got commalts collecting some of that data, and 26 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 2: we have territory government via the Health Department, collecting their 27 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 2: respective data in terms of vaccinations. You know, how family 28 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 2: we're going, how well we're pray pressing of the nordn territory. 29 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 2: So look, I've raised this as a matter of emergency 30 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 2: that you know, I need to know on a daily basis. 31 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 2: I should be able to push a button and find 32 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 2: out how many people are indigenousins are vaccinated throughout the 33 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:21,679 Speaker 2: Northern Territory. If I want to drive down to a 34 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,679 Speaker 2: specific community such as Maningrida, which has proven, you know, 35 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 2: was a great and successful vaccination roll out there recently 36 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 2: apartment up with territory health clinicians and the good expert 37 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,919 Speaker 2: clinicians there at Manala and led by local community elder there, 38 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 2: I think was a very effective strategy to ensure that 39 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 2: we were able to achieve the number of vaccinations. I 40 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,519 Speaker 2: think we've almost reached about eighteen hundred for the three days. 41 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 2: I think well over there for the first vaccination, I 42 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 2: understand it was that they must be due for their second. 43 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 2: So I should be able to, like I said, daily, 44 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 2: on a daily basis, be able to push the button 45 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 2: and find out how we're trending, you know, yeahly, and 46 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 2: if I wanted to drill down to a community, I 47 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:12,799 Speaker 2: should be able to get the information for that for 48 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: that very community as well. 49 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: I think it's so incredibly important that that information is 50 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,799 Speaker 1: readily available to the likes of you. John Patterson and 51 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: am said, given the fact that this vaccination rollout is 52 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: so very important, and it's so very important first and 53 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: foremost to make sure that Territorians are safe and that 54 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: they are fully vaccinated. When you talk about that rollout 55 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 1: in our remote communities, from your perspective, how is it going? 56 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, Katie, there was Look, and I've said it previously. 57 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 2: There is an acknowledge there's some hesitancy there, and that's 58 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:58,240 Speaker 2: being obviously led by any vaxes on social media and 59 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 2: other sectors of the communit that are I guess put 60 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 2: in mixed messages and non information that that's really not 61 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 2: helpful or doesn't is not evidence based by health experts, 62 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 2: you know, So my message then those ones there any 63 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 2: access is to stop stop peddling that misinformation. I mean, 64 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 2: allow our most vulnerable population in the ordern territory to 65 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 2: make their own decisions after they hear from the experts 66 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: who have dealt with this pandemic from day one, and 67 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: that that's our expert health clinicians and advisors in the sector. 68 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 2: So I call them those peddling misinformation to cease right now. 69 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,600 Speaker 2: It's not doing our community and our population any good. 70 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 2: And we've got this this delta astrain particularly is a 71 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,599 Speaker 2: very very serious and badly. When I say deadly, Katie, 72 00:04:55,760 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 2: this leads to death if it's not treated and and 73 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: you get that the urgent response that's required and we've 74 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 2: seen that in western New South Wales currently. Yeah, how 75 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 2: badly this virus is spreading. It's contagious, it's spreading. It's 76 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: much easier to spread amongst the most vulnerable population, and 77 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: we've got to ensure we do everything in our powers 78 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 2: to ensure that the vaccines are rolled out to most 79 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 2: remote communities and vulnerable population in the Northern urty, but 80 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 2: more so nationwide. 81 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: John, Is that all it is? Is it just? I mean, 82 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: is it a situation here where you know where that 83 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation is the thing that's holding 84 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,239 Speaker 1: us up in some communities or are there other worries 85 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: as well that are contributing. 86 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 2: Sure, that's one one factor, Kadie. There's been supply of vaccines, 87 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 2: particular Fizer. We now have a good system between the 88 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 2: Tertory government, mc Comalt government and the Aboriginal Community Control 89 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 2: health sector, a good system there where there's regular supplier 90 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 2: fires are now being being provided to communities. We have 91 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 2: a big major educated with workforce. With all the lockdowns, 92 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 2: that's just preventing us from getting the appropriate clinical support 93 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 2: from those states, you know, particularly News South Weld and 94 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 2: Victoria where a lot of a fair bit of our 95 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 2: workforce do come from. So whilst they're in lockdown, we're 96 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 2: just unable to get access that workforce. We've sought the 97 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 2: support and assistance for maybe some overseas you know clinicians, 98 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 2: I understand that that might be available, but you know 99 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 2: that'll be up to a commult and other state and 100 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 2: Tertory governments to work that out and see if we 101 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 2: can get any of that workforce capacity from internationally and 102 00:06:56,200 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 2: from those countries that are on top of their one 103 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 2: the pandemics. But that's a big challenge for us at 104 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 2: the moment. There's constant meetings of a meeting with the 105 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 2: Chief Executive or Territory Health in the coming days to 106 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 2: talk exactly about that, how we can join forces between 107 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 2: the a Viginal community control health sector and Territory Health 108 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 2: other workforce providers to ensure that we have the perfect 109 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:30,960 Speaker 2: workforce that can get out to these remote communities and 110 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 2: co vaccine. 111 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: Rollo, John, I know that. You know, even in the 112 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: NT News today they've got some of the statistics in 113 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: there for different regions. You know, Palmerston and Darwin obviously 114 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: sixty two percent at least one dose. Central Australia sixty 115 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 1: two percent at one dose. Are the Berkley regions sixty 116 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 1: one percent? But then I guess you go to some 117 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 1: of our more remote areas and like you and I 118 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: have just been discussing, it is a concern with some 119 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: of those vaccinations rates. I mean, how worried are you 120 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 1: about some of those vaccination rates when you look at 121 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 1: what's happening in the likes of regional New South Wales 122 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: at the moment. 123 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 2: Look, I'm still very concerned, Katie, I must be honest, 124 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 2: I won't be satisfied until we have ninety nine point 125 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 2: nine percent of that I'm vaccinated. That's the reality, and 126 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 2: that that includes eligible that's just not the adult you 127 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 2: know population with Now you know vaccines now recommended for 128 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 2: twelve year old upwards, so we've got to include the 129 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:40,079 Speaker 2: younger or that age court in that percentage as well. 130 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 2: So yeah, I won't be satisfied until we get to 131 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 2: ninety nine nine percent of their month vaccinated. There's obviously 132 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:49,199 Speaker 2: other health reasons why some may not be able to, 133 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:55,079 Speaker 2: may maybe hesitant against it. But those that are eligible, 134 00:08:55,920 --> 00:09:00,559 Speaker 2: we strongly encourage Katie that they don't wait for you 135 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: for this Belta strain. Just look at western New South Wales. 136 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 2: What's happening there. This is a very very serious virus 137 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: and we've got to put in place in sure that 138 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 2: most vulnerable population have had at least one vaccine, you know, 139 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 2: and fully vaccinated vaccine. Yeah. 140 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 1: Well, and John, you know, I like we've been talking 141 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 1: about it is so very important. 142 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 2: I know that. 143 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: Also in addition to that, the Chief Minister has said 144 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,680 Speaker 1: that the reality of this is here in the Northern 145 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 1: Territory until those vaccination rates are up to around eighty 146 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: percent right across the board. We are still going to 147 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 1: be enduring lockdowns, We are still going to be in 148 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 1: the situation that we're in, well that all of Australia 149 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: is in right now. So it's it is so very important, 150 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: but mostly it's so very important for everybody's. 151 00:09:55,520 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 2: Health absolutely, Kate. Look, you know, we want to keep 152 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: the territory safe and we've done that very effectively. This 153 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 2: is a big scare up one we had from just recently. 154 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:11,679 Speaker 2: You know they're down and CASU with the US consultant 155 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 2: coming in, so you know, we just don't know where 156 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 2: the threat will come from, and we've got to put 157 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 2: all the safeguards up and ensure that the territory population 158 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 2: is well protected. And one way getting protected is having 159 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 2: that making sure that we're all vaccinated. Just on that 160 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: data and statistics stuff. I mean, we've just got to 161 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 2: also define I understand what the medicare. You know, when 162 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,199 Speaker 2: they go and get the vaccino, they're actually the medicare numbers. 163 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 2: So we've just got to you know, sort out whether 164 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 2: those medicare individual people have medicare condsidents have, whether they're 165 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 2: interstate or whether they're locally territorian. So that's where I 166 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 2: think some of those statistics might be getting a little 167 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 2: bit muddled up. So yeah, we're just going to be 168 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 2: able to define you know, yep. I agree with you there, 169 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 2: territoins to whether they're in the statives tourists that are 170 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:11,200 Speaker 2: still in the territory and then we welcome that, yep. 171 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 2: But we just need to get the accuracy of territoins 172 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:17,319 Speaker 2: being back to and I think that's where some of 173 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 2: this confusion might lay. 174 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 1: Yeah, you spot on, John Patterson, the CEO of and 175 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 1: Sam we always appreciate your time, mate, Thanks so much 176 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 1: for having your chat this morning. 177 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:28,880 Speaker 2: Thanks, thank you. 178 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 1: That is John Patterson there, the CEO of the Aboriginal 179 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 1: Medical Services Alliance here in the Northern Territory.