Five new health services to benefit rural WA

6/11/02
Multi-Purpose Services (MPS), providing a range of integrated health and aged care services, have begun operating at five new sites in rural Western Australia, Health Minister Bob Kucera announced today.
Dumbleyung, Quairading, Corrigin, Bruce Rock and Mortlock - taking in Wongan Hills, Goomalling and Victoria Plains - began operation on November 1.
Multi-Purpose Services at Nannup, Mullewa/Yalgoo/Murchison and Morawa/Perenjori are in the final stages of development and should commence by early 2003.
When completed, they will bring the total number of MPS sites in WA to 28.
"The MPS model enables all health and aged care services to operate under a single management structure, with pooled State and Commonwealth funding resulting in improved service co-ordination," Mr Kucera said.
"They have been very successful in WA because communities are given the power to determine the most appropriate mix of services for their town.
"Community consultation, participation and the empowerment of communities have been the cornerstone of the program.
"The signing of these new agreements will enable communities to implement their plans and move towards providing integrated and flexible health services."
Minister's office: 9213 7000