Queensland Governor Dr Jeanette Young (third from left) inspects progress on the $35.4 million Pormpuraaw primary health care centre on 24 July with TCHHS executive general manager south Michael Catt, clinical nurse consultant Tiffany Callanan, Her Excellency’s husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo, TCHHS director of nursing southern primary health Andrea Mann, Pormpuraaw director of nursing Tiffany Dwyer and Pormpuraaw Mayor Ralph Kendall Jnr. Photo: Supplied.
Queensland’s Governor has been provided with an up close and personal look at progress on Pormpuraaw’s $35.4 million primary health care centre (PHCC) during a visit to the western Cape York community on 24 July.
Her Excellency Dr Jeanette Young and her husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo, made the stopover during a Gulf of Carpentaria tour and witnessed the erection of the facility’s steel frame after its concrete slab was completed in June.
The new PHCC is being built on the grounds of the existing health facility complex, allowing the existing clinic to continue serving the community until the new centre is ready.
Construction is being undertaken by Cairns-based company WIP Constructions.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service general manager south Michael Catt, who toured the construction site with Her Excellency and Prof Nimmo, said the Pormpuraaw community had been heavily involved with discussions about landscaping the new facility.
“This investment will ensure enhanced health care options for residents of Pormpuraaw and the surrounding region,” he said.
“This new facility will replace the existing centre, providing modern amenities for both patients and staff.
“It’s exciting to be able to equip the centre’s staff with modern facilities to help them deliver first-rate care to the community.”
The facility will include a resuscitation room and treatment room, multi-purpose medical imaging room, including X-ray and ultrasound, and clinical support spaces, as well as six dedicated outpatient mixed-used consult rooms.
A dental suite with consultation and clinical work areas, a pathology room for specimen collection, a medical records area and a new, culturally appropriate morgue also are part of the project.
The PHCC is part of the State Government’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program, with completion of all works, including landscaping and demolition of the existing facility, expected by mid- 2027.
Work is under way to erect the steel frame for the new Pormpuraaw primary health care centre, following the laying of the concrete slab last month. Photo: Supplied.
