General News
5 December, 2025
Focus on ‘Community’
The health and strength of Clifton Community Health Services (CCHS) was the topic of a well attended community forum conducted last Wednesday, 26 November, attended by CCHS board members and staff.
The forum was convened by community members Paul Batchelor and Bill Cameron and attended by CCHS Chair Andrew Douglas, Executive Director Amelia Simpkins and several board members.
Topics raised during the forum, held at the Clifton Senior Citizens Centre, included how to retain and recruit good doctors, the structure of the board and qualifications for board positions and the progress off CCHS’ new accommodation works.
There were also questions from the floor related to how communication can be improved between CCHS and the wider community.
Chair Andrew Douglas said as a community owned and operated organisation, CCHS welcomed the strong attendance and considerable interest shown by the greater Clifton community.
“CCHS’ Board and Management recognise the important and multifaceted role the organisation plays in the district, and we remain committed to continual improvement across all areas of the business,” Mr Douglas said.
“We valued both the feedback received at the meeting and the opportunity to provide information on the matters of importance to our community stakeholders,” Mr Douglas said.
“We are proud of the team’s achievements and the outcomes we continue to deliver, and we acknowledge that there will always be more to do.
“While rural stand-alone, community-based providers continue to face significant challenges, the Board wishes to reaffirm that its decisions are made in line with our organisation’s ethos and mutual model and will always be made in the best interest of patients, residents and clients.
“Moreover, we continue to be motivated by our motto of ‘for the community, by the community, in the community’ towards our vision of vibrant, empowered and healthy rural communities.”
Co-convenor Bill Cameron said the forum was well received by the audience.
“Paul Batchelor did a marvelous job as the chair of the meeting introducing some very important questions from community members that were directed at the hospital board...,” Mr Cameron said.
“Many thanks to all and in particular Andrew and the board, the community, and Paul Batchelor for his efforts.”
Mr Cameron said Mr Douglas clearly explained what qualifications are needed to become a CCHS board member and waiting for approvals from Toowoomba Regional Council was slowing down progress on new accommodation.
Some confusion arose on what distance from Clifton someone needs to live in order to access CCHS’s Home Care service, now called Support at Home, with some community members concerned residents of Toowoomba and Warwick will be able to access them.
Mr Douglas clarified that for Level 1 and 2 packages, CCHS services a 10km to 15km radius from the facility.
For Levels 3 and 4, CCHS services an area up to 50km from the facility.
To answer another question about the catchment for tenants of the impending Social Housing Units, Mr Douglas said it would be in line with the eligibility criteria stipulated by Department of Housing and Public Works.
