New health service for Swan region planned for New Year

1/11/96 Premier Richard Court says young people in the Swan region will benefit from a new health service to be introduced in the New Year.

1/11/96

Premier Richard Court says young people in the Swan region will benefit from a new health service to be introduced in the New Year.

Speaking at the campaign launch for Anne Ferguson-Stewart, Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Midland, Mr Court said that more than $250,000 would be spent on the program which was aimed at treating children with severe mental or emotional problems.

"The funds will be spent on providing a service that is easily accessible and has the appropriate clinical staff," he said.

Swan Health Service is planning to start the new program at the beginning of 1997, when improvements and renovations to the premises in Spring Park Road are completed.

"The service will cater for young people with severe mental problems such as psychotic disorders, or eating disorders, anxiety or depression," Mr Court said.

"The need for this facility has been acknowledged by many service providers in the Swan area as currently children have to be referred to a clinic at Warwick or East Victoria Park."

Mr Court said the new service complemented the enormously successful Youth Therapy program which began last January.

The youth program was a strong community outreach service with close links to the Aboriginal community in Lockridge.

More than 170 clients had been seen by staff since January, nearly double the target.

Mr Court said the new service was another positive health program implemented by the State Government over the past four years in the area.

"Since coming to office, a mammography clinic has been built, a health care house has opened, the size of the Swan Districts Hospital emergency section has trebled, a birthing centre has been established at the hospital and only recently $800,000 was allocated to establish a new dental clinic," he said.

"Our commitment to the healthcare of people in this rapidly growing region is shown through these projects and this commitment will continue into the future.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9475