Additional health and aged care funds for Murchison region

3/2/98

The Shires of Meekatharra, Cue, Mount Magnet and Sandstone are set to benefit from nearly $120,000 of additional health and aged care funding, Health Minister Kevin Prince announced today.

The new funding allocation follows the signing of a joint State-Commonwealth Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) Agreement.

"The MPS program enables communities to tailor health and aged care services to suit their needs and this may include combining resources from services including hospitals, aged care facilities and Home and Community Care (HACC)," Mr Prince said.

"Through better co-ordination of services and sharing costs, the financial viability of centres can be improved."

Mr Prince congratulated the Murchison Health Service Board, the Meekatharra Community Action Group, the Shires of Cue and Mt Magnet and HACC agencies for their co-operation and determination to deliver the best possible health services to residents in their communities.

"As a result of their co-operation, the additional funding will be used for existing and new services such as visiting surgical and expanded obstetric and gynaecological services, expanded allied health services, increased domiciliary services to Mt Magnet and Cue and training for Aboriginal health workers," the Minister said.

"The community-based Murchison Health Service Board will oversee the Murchison MPS which encompasses all health and aged care services in the district.

The chairman of the Murchison Health Service Board, Mr Garry Agnew, said the development of the MPS involved a detailed process of community consultation and planning.

"This was necessary to ensure the health and aged care services provided by the MPS are of a high quality and are well matched to the health and aged care needs of the large Murchison district," he said.

The general manager of the Murchison Health Service Mr Gerry Burns said all agencies involved in the development of the MPS had recognised the benefits of a MPS to their communities.

"This participation and support for the project demonstrates a strong commitment to the future of health and aged care in the Murchison district," Mr Burns said.

The three-year agreement takes effect this month.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9 221 1377