Health Minister, Roger Cook today joined patients, staff and the local community to officially open the new, expanded Onslow Health Service.
The new facility delivers the McGowan Government commitment to provide people access to health care close to where they live, their families and loved ones.
The Onslow Health Service includes an expanded three-bay emergency department plus a purpose-built procedure room, all with telehealth capability for 24/7 access to emergency physicians in Karratha, Hedland and Perth. There is also a six-bed inpatient unit with modern single rooms, each with its own ensuite.
The Minister congratulated the local WA Country Health Service team on the successful hospital and healthcare hub, which has seen more than 1,200 emergency department presentations since becoming operational in December.
As well as meeting local staff who had input into the building design, the Minister met long-time Onslow resident Mrs Margie Sweeting, who began her career in the 1950s and worked in both of Onslow’s former hospitals. Mrs Sweeting now receives her healthcare at the brand new facility.
Regular clinics for some of the community’s most important health services now run from the purpose-built facility including child health, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and paediatrics.
A midwife visits every month, and the busy GP clinic is open four days a week, with Aboriginal Medical Services holding their clinics over three days each month. There is also a two-chair community supported home dialysis room.
The Onslow Health Service redevelopment was funded by the State Government through its Royalties for Regions program, and the Chevron-operated Wheatstone project as part of its $250 million commitment to upgrading Onslow’s social and critical infrastructure.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“The Onslow Health Service is an outstanding facility that is clearly being embraced by the local community. It means local residents can receive great healthcare near where they live, which is a key component of the McGowan Government commitment to putting patients first.
“Using Telehealth in the expanded emergency department can put the state’s best emergency physicians in the room with local staff, with potentially life-saving benefits.
“I congratulate everyone involved in making the Onslow Health Service a reality including the staff and local community members who had input into the design, the many local residents who helped create the unique handprints mural and the architects, builders and tradespeople.
“As Health Minister my vision is to bring excellent healthcare closer to home, and I am very pleased to see it happening in the brand new, purpose-built Onslow Health Service.”
