BURONGA'S long awaited state-of-the-art health hub has opened its doors, allowing patients to access a range of health professionals and services under one roof.
The multimillion-dollar project was earmarked in 2015 as part of the NSW Government's $100 million HealthOne program which aimed to make services more accessible to patients and increase the efficiency of the overall health system.
The build started last October and saw the facility's concrete slab poured the following month, with minor setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new hub services the Buronga, Gol Gol, Wentworth, Dareton, Euston and Balranald areas, with services including mental health, drug and alcohol, dental and women's health.
More than 100 residents took advantage of an open day earlier this month, allowing them a sneak peak of the facility ahead of its opening two weeks ago.
A range of professionals have now moved into the hub, including a community midwife, social worker and psycho-oncology counsellor who can help deal with difficulties related to cancer diagnoses or life-limiting illnesses.
The project was sealed following a landmark agreement between the Barkindji and Malyangapa Aboriginal communities, and the NSW Government.
The agreement saw Crown land at Buronga transferred to the Barkindji Corporation, with Native Title rights kept intact, as freehold land.
The Barkindji Corporation then leased the land back to NSW Health, to operate and build the facility.
Throughout the build, a project team worked with Barkindji representatives to ensure the local culture was incorporated in the fit-out.
This included artworks in waiting areas and pathways around the building, language for signage as well as a yarning circle, relationship tree and a garden made up of plants with medicinal properties, to reflect the services that will be provided at the new facility.
Buronga HealthOne is located at the corner of Pitman Avenue and the Silver City Highway.
Services available at the new hub:
Primary health
Mental health
Drug and alcohol service
Child and family health
Building stronger foundations
Community midwife
Aboriginal maternal and infant health service
Aboriginal health workers/practitioner
Social worker
Psycho-oncology counsellor
Dental
Women's health
Continence
Early intervention educator
Diabetes education
Chronic, complex and aged care
Palliative care
Visiting allied health
