Health care on the Central Coast is set to receive a tremendous boost with an investment of $22.46 million by Royalties for Regions.
In Dongara increased Aged Care will be provided.
The package will reinforce health delivery from all WA Country Health Services (WACHS) sites in the region, including Dongara, Leeman, Jurien Bay, Lancelin and across to Chittering and will directly support nearby communities.
Member for Moore Shane Love MLA welcomed the news and said Central Coast district and surrounding areas had specific health needs as the area was both a retirement destination, home to many young families and an influx of tourists meant the population rose sharply during the holiday season.
“The health care infrastructure and services in place from Dongara in the north to the boundary with the Perth Metropolitan Area are not adequate at present.” Mr Love said.
“Correcting that inequity is one of the reasons why I entered state politics.
“As a former President of the Dandaragan Shire, I could see the huge gaps in service as far back as 2004.”
Mr Love said since his election in 2013, he had fought hard to address the health service gaps on the Central Coast.
“I thank Regional Development Minister Terry Redman for his support of Royalties for Regions funding and the former Deputy Premier and Health Minister Dr Kim Hames who supported me and after consideration of my concerns, directed WACHS to prepare a plan for health services on the coast that reflected the unique geography of the region,” he added.
Mr Love said the funding would address the specific needs of the region.
“In Dongara the focus will be on servicing the needs of the community at both ends of the age spectrum, with a range of services to boost patient care from the provision of ante and post natal care in the Dongara-Mingenew-Eneabba area right through to the enhanced treatment of chronic disease and the provision of more aged care beds at the Dongara Health Centre,” Mr Love said.
“The Silver Chain in Leeman, Eneabba and Mingenew have done a tremendous job to now with limited resources but the range of services needs to be extended.
“I also know how desperately these services are needed in the region.”
Mr Love stressed that the $22.46 million package for the Turquoise Coast Health Initiative was in addition to the $6 million upgrade for the Dongara Health Centre and $2.419 million for Independent Living Units in Dongara as well as nearly $5 million for the upgrade works to the Jurien Bay Health Centre currently underway and $2.56 million for the 24/7 respite centre at RSL Care in Jurien Bay.
“Totalling up these projects there is well over $38 million is to be invested to reinforce health and aged care in the region” Mr Love said
