The State Government has announced a $1million package to launch a new partnership between the WA Country Health Service – Midwest; the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to improve access to health care services in the Murchison.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the partnership would improve access to mainstream health services and programs, enhancing the health and well-being of Murchison residents.

“Key health providers in the region have worked together to develop the Murchison Integrated Health Service Delivery Plan, which identifies strategies to tackle major health issues in the region, particularly among Aboriginal people,” Dr Hames said.

“Partnerships with government and non-government agencies are crucial to the success of any planning and in this case, the plan provides a stable base for the delivery of future health services.”

The Minister said there were significant challenges facing the provision of health care in the Murchison district including distance, unemployment and an associated reduction in community infrastructure and recruitment and retention difficulties.

“This $1million investment is being used for a range of strategies including employing a Primary Health Manager for the Murchison who will provide a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of primary health services in the district,” he said.

“There will be additional community health nurses and enhanced allied health access.  It will also ensure the ongoing provision of regularly scheduled fly-in-fly-out allied health and medical services from Geraldton into towns in the Murchison.

“This important service provides air transport into the Murchison at least four times a month, giving residents regular access to health professionals such as physiotherapists, podiatrists, speech therapists and child health nurses.”

Dr Hames said the Royalties for Region Program had also funded the establishment of the Bidi Bidi Early Childhood Development program in Mt Magnet, which had been recommended in the service delivery plan.

“The Bidi Bidi program was developed by local grandparents who partnered with multi-agency staff to address poor early childhood development of children and intergenerational poverty,” the Minister said.

The project was awarded $399,488 under the first round of the Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme.  The two-year pilot project, with the support of the Shire of Mount Magnet, is on track to start services in the region in February 2010.