Patients across the Kimberley Region will soon benefit from nearly $10 million for two new renal facilities, to be delivered to the Derby and Fitzroy Crossing communities.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC said sufferers of kidney-related diseases and conditions will now be able to be treated closer to home.
“These new $6.3 million Derby and $3.6 million Fitzroy Crossing renal facilities will allow local patients to be treated and monitored in their own home towns,” Mr Grills said.
“This will result in faster treatment and improved health outcomes.
“The local services will also negate the need to travel hours to Perth, reducing costs for patients, reducing anxiety related to lengthy travel times and allowing them to be treated where their support networks are.
“This can only assist physical and mental health and general wellbeing for residents who are already dealing with serious health issues.”
Mr Grills said the two new renal facilities were now under construction in Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, thanks to a collaboration between the State and the Australian Governments.
“Construction is progressing well at the state-of-the-art, purpose-built 20-bed renal hostel in Derby, and the Fitzroy Crossing four-chair renal dialysis unit,” he said.
“Renal failure is a chronic issue in the Kimberley Region, as Aboriginal people from remote areas have incidence rates of end-stage kidney disease up to 30 times higher than the national incidence rate.
“It is vital that Kimberley patients have access to life-saving kidney dialysis treatment and I’m very pleased they will soon be able to access these important services.”
The Derby hostel will include 10 single-bed rooms and five twin-share rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. There will also be a kitchen, dining and lounge areas, verandahs, an outdoor barbecue and a children’s play area.
Fitzroy Crossing’s new dialysis unit is being built adjacent to the hospital and close to a 20-bed renal hostel already under construction. This unit will have four treatment chairs, along with a separate consultation room with videoconferencing capability.
Telehealth services will be available throughout both new facilities.
Nationals WA candidate for the Kimberley Rob Houston said there would be significant social and economic benefits for Derby and Fitzroy Crossing as a result of the new health service infrastructure.
“Royalties for Regions is again helping to close the gap in patient outcomes for regional WA and highlighting our commitment to ensuring services in the Kimberley are on par with those delivered in Perth,” Mr Houston said.
In addition to the Fitzroy Crossing and Derby facilities, work is also underway on providing an eight-bed renal hostel in Kununurra and a 20-bed renal hostel and support centre in Broome.
Additional renal facilities will also be constructed in Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Carnarvon and Roebourne, along with extra support facilities in Geraldton and Port Hedland.
The Derby and Fitzroy Crossing facilities are due to be completed in 2017.
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on (08) 9071 500 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au