New centre keeping ADF personnel healthy
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson says a new health centre at RAAF Base Townsville is beginning to deliver for both local serving personnel and the local economy.
The $10.8 million build was recently completed by St Hillier’s, supporting 397 local jobs during the construction period.
Touring the new building today, Mr Thompson said the project was a massive investment to ensure Defence can continue to look after its people well into the future.
“Initially the old health centre in Townsville was identified for refurbishment, but it turned out constructing a new, purpose-built facility was better value for money,” he said.
“This meant that we were able to support nearly 400 construction jobs and have an end result which is fit-for-purpose and will enable the best possible care for our serving men and women.”
The centre will be a home for primary care including mental health and rehabilitation, inpatient unit, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dental, general support, external works, airfield response and deployable health accommodation for No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron.
“When it comes to supporting those who support us on operations or on the home front during natural disasters and pandemics, there’s nothing more important than ensuring they’re healthy and well,” Mr Thompson said.
“Having a cutting-edge health centre on base, staffed by extremely capable doctors, nurses and allied health workers, means we have the best possible chance of doing that.”
The new centre is part of a $212.5 million investment by the Australian Government in defence health facilities around Australia.
ENDS