New public dental service for Broome a step closer

8/11/06
Low-income earners living in Broome and surrounding areas will have access to a full-time public dental service, as part of the State Government's $44million upgrade of Broome Hospital.
Tenders have been called for the hospital redevelopment, which includes the construction of the new $650,000 dental clinic.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the three-chair public dental clinic, staffed by one full-time dentist, would replace the existing visiting service.
"Currently public dental services are offered out of a caravan, just five days a month," Mr McGinty said.
"In a growing town like Broome, with a high indigenous population, we recognise that a better public dental service is needed.
"The State Government is committed to improving the dental health of rural and remote communities and establishing a public dental service in Broome will ensure people in the area have access to dental care closer to where they live."
The Minister said the hospital redevelopment tender process was expected to be completed by the end of the year, with construction due to begin in January next year.
The entire hospital upgrade, including the dental clinic, is expected to be completed in mid-2008.
The new clinic will also service surrounding indigenous communities.
Kimberley MLA Carol Martin said the development of a public dental service was excellent news for the people of Broome.
"The commitment to provide a high quality dental clinic reflects the growth of the region, with the new service sure to be an excellent addition to the redeveloped Broome Hospital," Mrs Martin said.
Mr McGinty said construction had begun on dental clinics in Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing, while new regional public dental clinics had been established in Halls Creek and Newman, and centres in Boulder and Derby had been upgraded.
The Minister said the redevelopment of Broome Hospital reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to health care in the Kimberley.
"Every hospital in the Kimberley region is either being replaced or upgraded as part of our commitment to improving health services for people in the north of our State," he said.
"Once completed Broome Hospital will be a major hub for regional network health services in the Kimberley."
The redeveloped hospital at Broome includes a new CT scanner facility and will have a 24-hour emergency department, contemporary hospital wards for acute care and paediatric patients, state-of-the-art operating theatres and delivery suites.
Other health projects in the Kimberley being upgraded under the $100million program include:

• a $14.4million redevelopment of Derby Hospital, which includes a new inpatient ward and ambulatory care centre. Work has commenced on the project;
• a $5.7million grant to Frontier Services to replace the old Numbla Nunga Nursing Home;
• a new $14.7million hospital at Fitzroy Crossing, with site works commencing this week;
• a new $6.8million dental clinic at Kununurra is due for completion at the beginning of next year; and
• a $4.5million upgrade to the hospital at Wyndham.

A $2million upgrade to the residential aged care facility in Kununurra was completed and opened last year.
"These significant investments are part of the State Government's $3.6billion Health capital works program," Mr McGinty said.
"We are improving health facilities throughout the State, making sure that Western Australians have access to the best and most appropriate health care possible, regardless of where they live."
Minister's office - 9422 3000