Minister tours site of new health clinic in one of WA's most remote locations

26/5/03
Building of a new purpose-built health clinic for the remote Kimberley town of Oombulgurri will begin in the near future, Health Minister Bob Kucera announced today.
Mr Kucera, who made the announcement while visiting Oombulgurri during a regional Cabinet meeting in Kununurra, said construction of the clinic should be completed by late 2004.
"The new facility is located in one of the State's most remote locations and will be designed to reflect the cultural requirements of the community," he said.
"Tenders for construction of the new clinic, which is expected to cost close to $1million, were advertised more than three weeks ago and it is expected that a successful tenderer will be announced in the next few weeks.
"The new clinic will be modern, well-equipped and welcoming to all community members, replacing the existing prefabricated transportable building, which is more than 20 years old."
The clinic will be located at the Oombulgurri Aboriginal Community, which is accessible by barge from Wyndham.
"With a population of approximately 300 people, it is important that regular and consistent health services are available," Mr Kucera said.
"A full-time remote-area nurse lives in the community and services the clinic with an Aboriginal health worker.
"This new facility, which will include three consulting rooms and an emergency treatment area, will greatly improve working conditions for resident and visiting staff."
Visiting services provided to the community include:

• a medical officer from Wyndham one day per week;

• physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist from Kununurra one day every six weeks;

• a child and school health nurse once per school term;

• aged care assessment teams based on a needs basis;

• North West Mental Health Service once per month; and

• six dental visits per year in the dry season, each lasting one week in duration.