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| 25/05/2006
New $9 million health centre for Morawa |
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Work has begun on a new $9million health centre at Morawa which will provide a wide range of health services for local communities in the area. Health Minister Jim McGinty said architects Silver Thomas Hanley had been appointed to design the new health facility with plans scheduled for completion within the next three months. "This is a significant investment that will increase access to health care services for people living in Morawa, Perenjori, Latham and surrounding communities," Mr McGinty said. "The health centre and updated facilities will help attract doctors and medical staff to the area. "The centre will provide around-the-clock care, with a new 24-hour emergency department equipped with the latest clinical facilities to ensure a high standard of patient care."The Minister said the purpose-built centre would include aged care accommodation for up to 10 residents and a day centre for the elderly. Home and Community Care services such as personal care, transport, home maintenance, centre-based day care and meals on wheels would also be offered. The centre would also include:
The centre would be located adjacent to the existing hospital building and will be linked to the Morawa Lodge aged care facility. Mr McGinty said an extra $1million had been added to the budget for the new centre to cover increased building costs. "We have now allocated $9million towards the construction of the centre following a recent assessment of the project, which revealed that building costs had risen," he said.
Minister's Office: 9220 5000
New Health Centre for Morawa The Shire of Morawa has welcomed the announcement from Health Minister Jim McGinty that $9million be allocated for a new Morawa Health Centre. The new centre will service the health needs of both the Morawa and Perenjori communities, integrating both acute services and a residential aged care facility. It will feature a five bed hospital and emergency department abutting Morawa’s existing “lodge style” aged residential facility. Four of the existing low care beds will be upgraded so that high grade aged care can be provided in the town and part of the lodge will be modified for community health purposes. On completion of the new buildings and modifications, the existing hospital building will be transferred back to the community for use for non-health related purposes. Shire of Morawa President Jim Cook said the new Health Centre would greatly improve services in the area and add to the growing feeling of optimism with Morawa. “Our current facility is at the end of its useful life and unable to offer the level of health care now required by the communities of Morawa and Perenjori,” he said. “We are pleased that the State Government has recognised this need and made this commitment. They have also listened to our community which was keen to see the aged care lodge, which is in good condition, included as part of any new facility. “The new Health Centre comes on top of many other exciting initiatives underway in Morawa such as the Water Corporations new $2.5 million storage upgrade project and the Shire’s housing renewal program. People can now make the move to Morawa in confidence, knowing that the facilities they need for a great quality of life are right here. “There is a real feeling in our town that we are important and that our community will prosper for many generations to come.” Construction of the new Health Centre is expected to commence in the New Year 2007 and be completed in April 2008. Ends… For more information, please contact Natalie Nelmes on 9923 9990. |
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