VIDEO: Cow Bay resident questions lack of community consultation regarding upgraded primary health clinic

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Michael Warren

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Cow Bay resident Steve Sponberg believes CHHHS could have done more to keep locals updated with the plans of the future health centre in the area. Video: Michael Warren

A Daintree Coast resident has questioned the “minimal, to no community consultation” that in his opinon says at times has proved lacking in the wake of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) releasing its latest, fresh designs of a new primary health centre that’s expected to open at Diwan in around eight months.

While full of praise of the benefits an upgraded Cow Bay primary health clinic will provide Cow Bay local Steve Sponberg says more could have been potentially done to have kept residents informed and involved along the way regarding different aspects of the project.

“(There’s been) minimal to no community consultation (from CHHHS) on the design and footprint of the building itself,” Mr Sponberg told Newsport in a video interview.

“That in itself is not a show stopper, it just would have been nice to have a little bit more then (consultation) then having a done deal already provided to us (regarding the final design), then (CHHHS) saying ‘here you are, here’s your new clinic’.”

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service revealed the new facility will offer nurse-led clinics and visiting specialists, staff accommodation and a new helicopter landing pad.

(CHHHS) also confirmed the new centre will be a self-sustainable building with solar and batteries.

Newsport approach CHHHS for comment about the matter.

"The new Cow Bay Primary Health Centre has been designed, in consultation with clinical and structural experts to be a purpose-built building, with modern requirements to provide care and treatment for residents north of the Daintree River," a CHHHS spokesperson told Newsport.

"The new centre has also been designed to deliver a much more comfortable, larger and more modern facility that is wheelchair friendly.

"As with all new developments, the application for this project required local government approval, which included a period of public consultation.

"In addition, our Director of Nursing at Cow Bay Primary Health Centre has also carried out consultation about the new centre with community groups, such as the Cow Bay Friends of the Foundation."

 

The recently released designs of what an upgraded Cow Bay primary health clinic will look like when completed next year. All images: CHHHS

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