Kimberley residents gain access to mobile services

Residents in the remote Kimberley will have greater access to specialist medical services following the launch of a new mobile clinic van by Boab Health Services last week.

Health professionals will use the van to travel around the Kimberley, enabling access to communities where there is no clinical building or limited clinic space.

The van will also provide Boab staff members with an increased capacity to implement health promotions, activities and consultations as well as group sessions.

Guwardi Ngadu Frail Aged Hostel in Fitzroy Crossing was one of the first places to be visited by the van last week, providing a podiatry clinic for residents.

Podiatrist Amy Freeman, one of the first clinical staff to use the facility, said it prevented elderly residents having to travel to access services.

“The mobile clinic will allow more clients in remote areas to access foot care and other health services in a comfortable environment and enable clinicians to work safely and effectively,” she said.

The mobile clinic, a 23-foot customised caravan, includes a clinic area with podiatry couch, storage space for resources and clinical equipment, a shaded outside area for cook-ups and a sleeping area for staff members.

The mobile clinic will also provide opportunities for multi-disciplinary care, with dieticians, diabetes educators and podiatrists often travelling together.

The Federal Government-funded mobile clinic has now moved on to the East Kimberley where it was to be used for health promotion activities at NAIDOC Week events and Kununurra Agricultural Show.