Official opening of Greenough Prison medical unit

19/11/93

Prisoner health care in the Mid-West took a major step forward today with the official opening of a new medical unit at Greenough Regional Prison.

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes said Greenough now had a prisoner health service second only to that of the major metropolitan security prisons.

"The Aboriginal Medical Service already provides a doctor service three times a week, as well as an on-call service, treating Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners," Mrs Edwardes said.

"The new facility is three times the size of the previous inadequate unit, with separate consulting and treatment rooms and an improved washing and cleaning area the main differences.

"To cater for the fact that Greenough also holds female prisoners, the new unit has a child care section where mothercraft skills will be taught.

"The unit is easier to access, it provides a modern, clean environment using natural light as much as possible, and features a secure drugs storage room."

Mrs Edwardes said the new unit would be named the 'Dorothy Johnston Health Centre' to mark the long and valuable service provided to the prison by nursing sister Dorothy Johnston.

The unit was officially opened by Geraldton MLA Bob Bloffwitch.

Mrs Edwardes said it was vital that Greenough had a first-class health service as it was one of the busiest prisons in the State.

"However, the new medical unit is just part of an on-going improvement of Western Australian prison facilities," she said.

"A major upgrade of Albany regional prison is almost finished, there have been recent upgrades at Bunbury and Bandyup Women's Prison, and a decision has been made to close the run-down prison at Wyndham.

"The Coalition Government is determined that WA will retain its reputation as the home of one of the most progressive and humane prison systems in the world."

Media contact:  Tony Robertson 222 9595