New multi-function health precinct for South Hedland

21/1/04
A new $11million residential aged care facility for about 50 Pilbara residents will be built in South Hedland, Health Minister Jim McGinty announced today.
Mr McGinty said construction of the new residential aged care facility, to be built adjacent to the Colebatch Way Community Health Centre in South Hedland, would begin by the middle of 2004 and be completed in late 2005.
"The new facility replaces the State-owned and managed 30-bed facility, Yulyana Nursing Home, as well as the Town of Port Hedland operated 12-bed facility, Mirtanya Maya," the Minister said.
"It is expected that significant savings will be generated by the amalgamation of the two services into a new residential aged care facility.
"A memorandum of understanding is to be signed with the Town of Port Hedland to enable consolidation of the Commonwealth-allocated aged care bed licences into the one facility.
"The Town of Port Hedland will contribute $2.5million to the $11million project through Commonwealth funding with the State Government contributing $8.5million.
"In the meantime, $1million has been budgeted for maintenance and upgrades needed for the continued operation of the Port Hedland Regional Hospital."
The development is the first stage of a health precinct to be developed in partnership with the community, Town of Port Hedland and health service providers over coming years.
Mr McGinty said extensive planning and community consultation by the Department of Health on the future health and aged care needs of the region had identified South Hedland - where the majority of people lived - as the ideal site for a new hospital and the aged care facility.
"The precinct will include the relocation of the Port Hedland Regional Hospital, the residential aged care facility and population health alongside private health practitioners, Aboriginal healthcare organisations and other health services," he said.
"This will be a 'one-stop shop' for health services in the region that will be developed over a number of years as the community's needs change."
The Department of Health is discussing the longer-term funding of the precinct with State and Commonwealth funded health services.
Site planning has already begun and tenders for design and detailed architectural drawings for stage one will be called by mid-year.
Mr McGinty said the new health precinct would ensure a comprehensive and high quality system of care continued to be delivered to Port Hedland, South Hedland and the surrounding region.
"It will also minimise the need for patients to travel to Perth for treatment," he said.
The Department of Health is working through the costing and timeframe details for the closure of the Port Hedland Regional Hospital and its relocation to South Hedland with the Town of Port Hedland.
Minister's office: 9220 5000