Open Day celebrates Lake Grace Health Service

2/11/2016 7:00 AM

• Lake Grace Health Service refurbishment completed
• Part of the Southern Inland Health Initiative, made possible by Royalties for Regions
• Revamped facility open for public viewing on November 9

The Lake Grace Health Service upgrade, which includes refurbishment of the emergency department, is now complete and will be open for local residents to view in early November.

The redevelopment has been made possible by the Liberal National Government's Royalties for Regions program, as part of the $500 million Southern Inland Health Initiative (SIHI) being delivered by the WA Country Health Service.

Health Minister John Day said the refurbishment also included a new waiting area, new office, storage areas for medical records and a pharmacy, a kitchen upgrade, reception, a short-term body holding facility, a public toilet and an ensuite in one of the wards.

"Local residents are invited to celebrate and view the refurbishment of the Lake Grace Health Service at an Open Day on November 9 from 12pm to 2.30pm," Mr Day said. "Visitors to the Open Day will have a chance to tour the facilities, learn about Health Navigator, a free service which supports people living in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern to manage their chronic conditions, allied health services and watch Emergency Telehealth Service demonstrations."

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the State Government's Royalties for Regions program had made significant investment in a range of health initiatives to support positive health outcomes in regional Western Australia.

"Quality health infrastructure is fundamental to the ongoing viability of regional communities," Mr Redman said.  "The Lake Grace Health Service will help attract and retain medical staff, building a skilled a workforce to meet the growing needs of the community." 

The SIHI capital works program is more extensive than any project previously undertaken by the WA Country Health Service, with new builds and upgrades to 37 hospitals and health services in the Wheatbelt, South-West, Great Southern and Mid-West.

In the Wheatbelt, Merredin, Northam and Narrogin hospitals are being redeveloped and 23 small hospitals and health centres upgraded, including the Lake Grace Health Service.

Fact File

• SIHI is improving access to medical and emergency coverage, providing new and improved modern health facilities and new models of health care delivery
• About $20 million was allocated to upgrade five hospitals at Wagin and Lake Grace in the Wheatbelt and at Kojonup, Tambellup and Gnowangerup in the Great Southern, under the first phase of the Royalties for Regions-funded SIHI small hospitals and nursing post refurbishment program