Director of nursing Vince Connellan shows TCHHS chief executive Rex O’Rourke how high the water rose at Wujal Wujal’s health centre during the devastating 2023 flood event following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Photo: Supplied.
A temporary modular clinic is being constructed at Yindili’mu Bayan Eco Lodge in Wujal Wujal to allow local health services to resume from April.
The facility will allow general practitioner services, specialist clinics and outreach clinics to return to the community, as well as provide a support mechanism for Wujal Wujal residents needing referrals and patient travel.
Once in place, the new modular clinic will include four consultation rooms, two emergency beds, telehealth, and onsite medication.
The Wujal Wujal Primary Health Care Clinic was decimated by the December 2023 flooding that followed ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and it is anticipated the temporary solution will help the community get back on its feet when residents begin to return next month.
Given the modular clinic is significantly smaller than the flood-damaged clinic, it will not provide medical imaging or dental services.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) general manager south Michael Catt toured the main clinic with chief executive Rex O’Rourke last week and said the modular solution meant Wujal Wujal residents would have a local health option when they returned to the community.
“I’d like to thank the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council for their strong support in helping us return health services to normal in the community as soon as possible, and for their backing for the proposal to use the Yindili’mu Bayan Eco Lodge to deliver health care services,” Mr Catt said.
“All 16 staff will return to support the clinic including nurses, health workers, operational officers, and administration staff, plus visiting doctors.
“The helipad at the old primary health care centre has been assessed and cleared for use, with just some fencing to be completed this month before the new clinic opens.”
Mr Catt said TCHHS staff continued to play a critical role in the recovery of Wujal Wujal and the scheduled return of health services.
“I’d also like to thank all our health service staff who have been involved in the ongoing Wujal Wujal recovery effort for their support in ensuring community residents continue to have access to vital health services,” he explained.
“They have been unwavering in their dedication and commitment to our flood-affected communities, including our Wujal Wujal-based staff, who themselves lost homes and belongings during the flood.”
TCHHS has partnered with the council and QBuild to commission separate engineering and hydrology reports on the extent of damage to the old clinic, and will review the recommendations from the reports when they become available.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service executive general manager south Michael Catt (left) and chief executive Rex O’Rourke inspect the Wujal Wujal Primary Health Care Centre last week. Photo: Supplied.
