The Australian Government has delivered on its 2022 election commitment to fund the expansion of the Emerald GP Super Clinic to increase access to important allied health services.
People living in the Queensland Central Highlands now have better access to allied health services with the opening of a new clinic in Emerald.
Allied health services at the clinic include physiotherapy, psychology, dietetics, speech pathology, occupational therapy and audiology.
The recently completed clinic will provide locals with timely care while reducing travel times of up to four hours outside of Emerald for treatment.
The new clinic, conveniently located with the Emerald GP Super Clinic, includes 10 practice rooms, a large assessment room and a dedicated training facility.
The government provided $2.8 million to Central Highlands Healthcare Ltd and worked with Country to Coast Primary Health Network to deliver this vital project.
Over time, the clinic will provide training opportunities for student placements and new graduates to help build the local health workforce. In addition, there will be future opportunities to expand the range of services offered by private allied health practitioners.
Allied health professionals play a crucial role in Australia’s primary healthcare system providing essential services alongside GPs, nurses and other primary care providers.
The Emerald GP Super Clinic and the new Central Highlands Allied Health Clinic are co-located at 1 Pilot Farm Road, Emerald.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“The Albanese Labor Government has delivered on its promise to boost access to quality, affordable allied health care for people in Emerald and the surrounding region.
“I know that Central Highlands Allied Health Clinic will save locals time and money because they can now access vital services close to home.
“This clinic will also support student and graduate placements to grow the rural health pipeline.”