Derbarl to open two GP-led Respiratory Clinics
Derbarl Yerrigan has welcomed funding from the Commonwealth Government to open its first respiratory clinics in Mirrabooka and Maddington. The funding is part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health package to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The GP-led Respiratory Clinic will allow Aboriginal patients and other members of the community in metropolitan Perth suburbs with respiratory conditions and mild to moderate COVID-19-like symptoms to be assessed, tested and treated. The Clinics will have the capacity to test up to 50 patients a day.
The Mirrabooka and Maddington clinics will be renovated to accommodate the respiratory clinics with a separate entry and separation from existing Derbarl primary health care services. The service will employ culturally safe staff to deliver the service to the local community. Regular general practice clinics will continue to run as usual.
Chairperson of Derbarl Yerrigan, Ms Francine Eades said, “I am pleased that Derbarl has responded to the opportunity to provide this vital service to our patients and the wider community. Derbarl has joined the growing number of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services delivering GP-led respiratory clinics to our people.
“The respiratory clinics will significantly reduce the burden on our hospitals as winter arrives and we hope to see more Aboriginal people with COVID-19 symptoms feel confident in accessing our respiratory clinics for culturally safe testing and care.
“The clinics will complement Derbarl’s ongoing efforts in health promotions and alternative health care to keep our people safe and protected from COVID-19.”
The local Federal Member for Stirling, Vince Connelly MP said, “This is a welcome investment in the local Mirrabooka community and is another example of the Morrison Government’s practical, on the ground support to improve social and health outcomes for people and families living in Stirling.”
Derbarl is working in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department of Health and the expertise of Aspen Medical to begin offering respiratory services. Clinics are scheduled to open on in early June 2020.