From little things, a big medical centre has grown
Daintree Health
The new $14.8m Cow Bay medical centre has opened for business.
Located on a 1ha site next to the old clinic at Diwan, the state-of-the-art Cow Bay Primary Health Centre replaces an outdated 28-year-old building.
Built through a grant from the State Government, the new centre includes a video connection to emergency medical specialists to support emergency care for patients waiting for a helicopter at the new helipad, three consulting rooms, a fully equipped treatment room, an indoor/outdoor waiting area and on-site staff accommodation.
Close to 100 locals and workers from across the district, and as far away as Cairns, gathered for the opening this morning, with centre nursing director Michele Lamond, Cook MP David Kempton, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh and Douglas Shire Council Deputy Mayor Roy Zammataro all speaking at the event, while Eastern Kuku Yalandji Elder Veronica Solomon conducted a smoking ceremony at the entrance to the new building.
Those in the crowd included a host of centre volunteers, locals who continue to fundraise for the centre, and a group of children from the nearby Alexandra Bay State School.
The large crowd gave a warm welcome to Ms Lamond, who helped start the clinic 28 years ago and was originally operating out of the boot of a car before moving into a single room provided by the council.
“That was in February, 1998,” she said.
“Council built us a little room off their community information and liaison building.
“Then we just slowly over the years took over the whole building.”
Ms Lamond said she was “very excited” to see the new clinic open up.
“The community just love the building - many say it’s the most beautiful they’ve ever seen.
“And the toilets are fabulous. People are laughing - we haven’t had an inside toilet for 28
years!”
The new centre services include emergency care, pathology, child health, immunisation clinics, adult-health checks, and mental-health services, it is designed to be resilient in extreme weather, and is fitted with solar panels and battery banks.
Ms Singh said the new centre was designed in response to community needs.
“By listening to local voices, we are improving access to quality healthcare,” she said.
“This centre reflects our determination to overcome logistical and weather-related hurdles to
build a stunning facility in the heart of the Daintree.”
Mr Kempton said the centre included improved clinical spaces for visiting specialists and better supported patients waiting for helicopter retrievals in emergencies.
“The Daintree Rainforest may be the world’s oldest, but it now has a contemporary medical Centre,” he said.
“With the nearest hospital nearly 50km away in Mossman via winding roads, this investment brings vital health services closer to home.”
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