Labor Government pledges $30.4 million towards Kimberley health facilities and initiatives, if re-elected

WA Labor has pledged more than $30 million to Kimberley health facilities and initiatives, including matching the Albanese Government’s $11m commitment for a new Broome health clinic, if re-elected in the State election. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced a series of pledges to the Kimberley on Tuesday, including a $11m investment in Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Services. The investment will match the Albanese Government’s committed $11m in funding to deliver a new facility on Weld Street that will replace BRAMS’ 45-year-old clinic. “This means the clinic will be able to open seven days a week and extend hours, and will be a significant boost for the local community,” Ms Sanderson said. “We know that BRAMS are an outstanding Aboriginal medical service, with a long and good relationship with the local community and local hospital. “BRAMS provides a full range of services, including NDIS, aged care, primary care, and they do a fantastic job, and have well and truly outgrown their current premises.” BRAMS founder and director Kathy Watson said the expansion of the clinic has been “long awaited”. “I saw this clinic built up from scratch — it was bushland — and with great pleasure, I’m sure BRAMS will accept the money that’s been waited for,” she said. Ms Sanderson also announced EMCO had been engaged as the building contractor for the Broome Step/Up Step Down on the Nyamba Buru Yawuru health and wellbeing site for planning and design. “We know that has been long-awaited for by the community in Broome, and there have been some challenges with the site with asbestos that has now been remediated and we’re able to start the important design and construction phase,” she said. “This will include a six-bed service, which will provide counselling and support for up to 28 days, and helps to bridge the gap between home and hospital, or hopefully remove the need for people to have to go to hospital in the first place.” Additionally, $8.7m will be used to double the renal dialysis capacity in Fitzroy Crossing, expanding the unit from four to eight chairs, reducing the necessity for patients to travel long distances for care. Another $8.7m has been committed to the Derby Wellness Centre to deliver drug and alcohol treatment, mental health support, family and domestic violence support, aged care and traditional healing on the ground in Derby. An additional $8.7m will be used to double the renal dialysis capacity in Fitzroy Crossing, expanding the unit from four to eight chairs, reducing the necessity for patients to travel long distances for care. Ms Sanderson said it would also provide important outreach into the Kimberley Regional Prison and seven remote Aboriginal communities. A re-elected Cook Labor Government also will invest $2 million in planning to a low-to-medium detox facility in Broome to properly meet the specific needs of the community. Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said she was proud to receive the good news in regards to the health and wellbeing of Kimberley residents, particularly for the BRAMS funding announcement. “As a child growing up, BRAMS was essential in the services of looking after the health of many of our community members and keeping up with the demand of services that they provide,” Ms D’Anna said. “With the expansion of this town, I think it’s a real testament that they need this money to get into a new building.”