Health boost for Indigenous people in Dareton region

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  • 2004

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2 September 2005

Indigenous people in the Dareton region of New South Wales are to receive improved health services following the official opening of a new clinic today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne.

“The Australian Government provided more than $1.7 million to build the new Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation clinic. We are confident it will go a long way to improving the health of Indigenous people in the area,” Mr Pyne said.

“The government also provides funding of more than $750,000 a year to enable Coomealla to provide clinical services and community health promotion activities.”

Prior to the opening of the new clinic building, Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation operated in a rented property that was in great need of repair.

“The purpose-built clinic will provide a wide range of clinical services such as treatment of acute illnesses, emergency care, management of chronic conditions and crisis intervention and referral,” Mr Pyne said.

“Health promotion, too, will play an important role at this clinic.

“Coomealla provides the men, women and children of Dareton and the surrounding communities with population health programs including child and maternal health, nutrition, immunisation, substance use and sexual health.

“Screening for various conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure and sexually transmissible diseases is also provided.

“In addition, this new facility will provide a valuable space that can be used for community meetings and awareness sessions.”

Mr Pyne said the government was committed to strengthening and expanding primary health care infrastructure and services for Indigenous Australians.

“This year’s Budget committed additional funding of $170 million over four years for new Indigenous health measures including: expansion of primary health care services; funding to combat petrol sniffing and other substance use; and better access to mainstream hearing services,” he said.


Media contact: Adam Howard 0400 414 833