Government funding to build new health centre at Lake Grace

2/3/00
Health Minister John Day and Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge today announced joint Commonwealth and State health funding of $365,500 towards the development of the new Lake Grace Medical Centre.
Mr Day said the new $700,000 facility would house an extensive range of health care services which included two doctors' surgeries, a dental surgery, health clinics and allied health services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, podiatry and mental health.
He said the new facility highlighted the State Government's commitment to improving the level of health services for all West Australians, regardless of where they lived.
"This new development at Lake Grace is part of the Government's Statewide Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) program which allows communities to offer a broad range of health and aged care services based on local needs," Mr Day said.
"For the first time it enables medical services to be provided to smaller communities that previously had only been accessible at large regional centres."
Mr Day said Western Australia led the nation in implementing the MPS program.

He said that since the program started in Australia in 1993, WA's involvement had grown to 15 sites covering 36 rural shires.
"This year the Government has directed nearly $19 million towards the development of MPS program at Katanning, Tambellup, Kojonup, Pemberton, Jurien, Goomalling and Lancelin," Mr Day said.
"The success of the MPS program in WA is, to a large extent, due to the commitment and vision of rural health professionals who can see the tremendous benefits such a scheme brings to rural communities.
"The MPS program removes the barriers between State and Commonwealth funds and programs and allows the community greater flexibility in how those services are provided."
Mr Day said the development of the new medical centre would play an important role in attracting and retaining health professionals.
Dr Wooldridge said the project was an excellent example of how the Federal Government's new Regional Health Services Program could build on and enhance existing Multi Purpose Services.
Mr Day said additional funding for the facility had been provided by the Shire of Lake Grace, the WA Department of Commerce and Trade and the WA Wheatbelt Development Commission.
"Regardless of the funding it was the hard work and commitment by the local community which has been invaluable to the success of the MPS in Lake Grace," he said.
Local builder Trevor Parsons of Wagin has been chosen as the successful tenderer to construct the Medical Centre which should be completed by July 1 and operational a few months later.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600