The Marshall Liberal Government is supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service to develop a remote healthcare clinic at Innamincka.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) is being offered up to $387,000 from the State Government’s Regional Growth Fund to develop a purpose-built clinic, providing quality and culturally safe health care and related social services to remote communities.

The RFDS South Eastern Section, based in Broken Hill and Dubbo, delivers improved health outcomes to remote, rural and regional communities across South Eastern Australia.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the investment contributes to the founder of the RFDS Reverend John Flynn’s vision to provide a mantle of safety for the people of the bush by funding a new primary care clinic to one of South Australia’s most isolated communities.

“This infrastructure will enable the RFDS to provide improved clinical healthcare to the township of Innamincka,” said Minister Whetstone.

“The RFDS is the most comprehensive aeromedical service in the world, with flying doctors, nurses, specialists and allied health professionals taking essential health care services to country communities.

“The construction of the purpose-built medical clinic will generate employment and economic benefit through an influx of visiting trades people who will build this new facility.”

Local Member for Stuart and Minister for Mining and Energy Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the funding will centralise community health services provided by the RFDS in what is the far north east of our State’s natural community gathering point.

“Innamincka has a long history with servicing the far north east of the state and I welcome the new clinic following in the proud history of the Australian Inland Mission Hospital that served the community from 1929 to 1952,” said Mr van Holst Pellekaan.

“This is a positive project for Innamincka which will support the local community, pastoral, petroleum and transport industries as well as tens of thousands of tourists each year.”

Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) CEO Greg Sam said the grant was great news for the region.

“We thank the State Government of South Australia for their grant towards developing the much-needed remote healthcare clinic at Innamincka,” said Mr Sam.

“We are grateful for the funding which alongside the significant contribution made by our supporters enables an enhanced level of service for both the community and travellers through the region alike.

“The clinic will enable us to deliver more healthcare services to people in this remote region in a high-quality facility.”

The project’s total capital investment is $800,000.

The $150 million Regional Growth Fund has been established to unlock new economic activity in our regions, to deliver critical economic infrastructure that creates direct benefit across regional industries, and to strengthen regional communities.