Multicultural women's health centre for Mirrabooka

A Multicultural Women's Health Information Centre will be set up in Mirrabooka.

The centre, funded by the Federal and Western Australian Governments as part of the National Women's Health Program and established in response to needs identified by women, will ensure that women from non-English speaking backgrounds have access to community services and programs.

The Federal Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services, Brian Howe, and the WA Minister assisting the Minister for Women's Interests, Judyth Watson, announced plans for the centre today.

Mr Howe said it was one of a wide range of services being funded under the national program aimed at improving the health of all WA women, particularly those disadvantaged by disability, isolation, age or ethnic background.

The Federal Government recognised that women were the major users of health care services, both personally and as the major carers in their families.

Dr Watson said the information centre was an important initiative in line with the State Government's commitment to improve access to health care and medical services for women. It would promote culturally sensitive services appropriate to multicultural consumers in Mirrabooka, Girrawheen, Koondoola, Balga, Marangaroo, Nollamara and Ballajura.

Dr Watson said a similar service had operated successfully over the last few years in South Fremantle.

The Ministers said a grant of $68,000 would be made this financial year to meet the centre's establishment costs.