McKINLAY may be more than 230 kilometres from the nearest city, but the remote North West town now has a Community Clinic to match the infrastructure and services of metropolitan health clinics.
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The McKinlay Community Clinic celebrated the completion of the facility upgrade and start of a weekday nurse-led service with a public open day last Thursday.
Mayor of McKinlay Shire Belinda Murphy welcomed the improvements for the McKinlay community.
‘‘Our aim has been to see a good sustainable model developed that services the local community and catchment area as well as the significant numbers of travelling public,” Cr Murphy said.
In January 2014, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg confirmed the Queensland government would fund $200,000 towards establishing a nurse-led service to provide both emergency and community healthcare during business hours in McKinlay.
The funding enabled recruitment of a full-time nurse, as well as replenishing clinical supplies.
Additional funds were contributed by the McKinlay Shire Council, community members of McKinlay and the North West Hospital and Health service to upgrade the clinic building and staff residence.
North West Hospital and Health Service executive director of nursing services Michelle Garner said it was fitting that the changes made to the McKinlay Community Clinic were capped off with a collaborative community celebration.
“The McKinlay community should be very proud of the standard of care and renovations to the clinic,” Ms Garner said.
“The services McKinlay Community Clinic offers today are entirely due to the ongoing collaboration between the McKinlay community, the McKinlay Shire Council and the North West Hospital and Health Service.
“All parties will review the clinic and its service delivery model in due course to ensure it is remains appropriate for McKinlay.”
