$7.6 M New Health Clinic Opens for the Territory’s Largest Aboriginal Community
The expanded and refurbished health centre at Wadeye in the Northern Territory has been officially opened by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon .
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THE HON Warren Snowdon MP
Federal Minister for Indigenous Health
Member for Lingiari
THE HON Rob Knight MP
Member for Daly
08 November, 2010
The expanded and refurbished health centre at Wadeye in the Northern Territory was today officially opened by the Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon .
The Gillard Labor Government provided $7.6 million to the project, which constructed a new building, refurbished the existing building and linked the two with a covered walkway.
“The new centre has been designed to meet the specific needs of the local community. The new building has clinical consultation rooms, an emergency room, baby treatment rooms, and consulting rooms for visiting specialists. There is also a new reception, improved staff amenities and a safe drug storage and dispensing area,” Mr Snowdon said.
“The refurbished building also has a public and staff training room; and an area specifically designated for dental services, with its own waiting room.
“This clinic will improve healthcare for the Wadeye community, help the staff provide more health services and importantly will continue to provide employment for local people.
“The bright colours for the clinic’s interior, denoting areas for men, women and children, were chosen by community members. I hope that all residents of Wadeye and the surrounding district would feel welcome and comfortable in attending the clinic,” he said.
“The work done by Wadeye residents in driving the planning and development of their new clinic is a credit to them. Their dedication is evident in the many community driven programs and enterprises currently underway to progress the wellbeing of locals, and it’s a strong indication of their commitment to this major Territory community,” Mr Snowdon said.
The Member for Daly, Rob Knight, said the Northern Territory Government is funded by the Australian Government to provide the healthcare services at the Wadeye clinic.
“We welcome this funding injection by the Australian Government - it will not only help in attracting more health staff to Wadeye, but will also provide a more comfortable and suitable environment for locals to get the quality healthcare they need,” Mr Knight said.
“We were able to put in a strong case for financial backing and I’m pleased to see the Territory and Federal Labor governments come together to deliver this important facility for the Wadeye community.
“This is a significant investment to provide a health clinic that will serve the growing Wadeye community into the future. It will have a strong focus on preventative care and ultimately provide a better standard of living for Wadeye people,” Mr Knight said.
“This project is an example of our governments working together toward our commitment to Closing the Gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory,” Mr Snowdon said.
Media contact:
Jack Crosby (Snowdon) 0418 846 596
Claire March (Knight) 0403 937 849
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