THE $14 million upgrade of the groundbreaking Werin Medical Clinic is underway following an official sod turning ceremony.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and Chairperson Uncle Brian King shared the honour of breaking ground on the work last Saturday.
In July 2024, the Lake Road clinic secured $7m in Federal Government funding as part of a $100m investment aimed at Closing the Gap.
The funds were shared across 33 Indigenous health infrastructure projects.
The remaining $7m for the Port Macquarie project was contributed by the Werin Aboriginal Corporation.
Once complete, the upgraded clinic will include 12 ground-floor consultation rooms.
There will bea dedicated wellbeing centre on the top floor, along with improved access and parking facilities.
Werin Aboriginal Medical Service will continue delivering primary care services including chronic disease management, maternal and child health, mental health support, and health promotion initiatives.
At the event, Uncle Brian King emphasised the broader role the new facility will play in the community.
“This investment supports the national Closing the Gap targets by placing Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands and creating local employment and training opportunities,” he said.
Federal MP Pat Conaghan praised the initiative and acknowledged the positive impact it will have on long-term health outcomes in the region.
“Access to primary healthcare is a crucial step in Closing the Gap,” he said.
“Evidence has shown that care delivered through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is associated with lower rates of preventable hospitalisations among First Nations communities.
“Better long-term health outcomes start with better access to primary care.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Werin team for their commitment to health in our community and for taking the necessary steps to provide our region with a state-of-the-art facility that is fit for purpose.”
The new facility is expected to open in late 2026.
By Sis HIGGINS
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