Published on Monday, 21 August 2023 at 10:07:50 AM
South Hedland will once again have a GP clinic with Indigenous-owned provider Marlu Health opening a practice to fill the void left by the closure of Sonic Healthcare.
The practice, in Tonkin Street, will offer a variety of medical services including:
- GP Services;
- Occupational health, Pre-Employment Medicals, Fitness for Work and Injury Management Services;
- Psychology and Mental Health Services through Hedland’s only psychologist Caroline Rodgers;
- Employee Assistance Programs; and
- Pathology collection services supported by Australian Clinical Labs, with saliva testing to replace urine testing for drug and alcohol screening.
Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr Lincoln Luk, said Marlu Health had a commitment to traditional owner values and giving back to the community.
“We are looking forward to providing a range of services to the Hedland community, and it was important for us to establish our clinic in South Hedland. We have not previously been a GP provider and were not looking to do so, but we saw the need in Hedland and felt that it was our civic responsibility to help," Dr Luk said.
"Country GPs are exceedingly difficult to replace, and it is terrific that we have one GP joining Marlu Health, while we are also doing our best to source a second GP for the town. Rural Health West have been most helpful in this endeavour."
Mr Alex McPhee, Traditional Owner and Nyamal and Nyiyaparli man, and Managing Director, also stressed the company’s commitment to Indigenous growth and community support: “Indigenous engagement and support has always been a core value of our company and we are looking into providing fully-funded training for Indigenous youths to become pathology collectors, screeners and administration staff – a program we have developed in Perth and hope to open to individuals in Hedland soon.”
Mayor Peter Carter said the Town was pleased to support Marlu Health opening the clinic in South Hedland.
“The closure of the Sonic Healthcare clinic left us in a precarious position with only one GP clinic in Port Hedland, and none in South,” Mayor Carter said.
“The Town has been involved in discussions with Marlu Health for some time and it’s great to see they will be offering a range of services in South Hedland.
The Town of Port Hedland has facilitated housing for Marlu Health's GP.
"Having access to housing was important in being able to secure a GP and we're grateful for the help the Town has provided," Dr Luk said.
Mayor Carter said the Town was continuing to explore avenues to expand housing in Hedland.
"Housing remains one of our greatest challenges in attracting and retaining workers and the Town is committed to collaborating with State and Federal Government and other industry stakeholders in providing solutions," he said.
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