Boost to BDAC clinic construction

THE Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-operative Primary Health Care facility has received an extra three-point-seven million dollars in funding to help make it operational next year.

The funding for the construction project on Prouses Road is being delivered through the Federal Government’s Closing the Gap – Major Capital Works Program.

The new facility will include ten additional consulting rooms, three allied health rooms, six interview rooms plus additional office space.

“This funding highlights our strong partnership with the Australian Federal Government and our shared commitment to enhancing the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Djaara Country,” said BDAC CEO Dallas Widdicombe. “We’re super excited about it. It’s going to quadruple the capacity we’ve got.

“At the moment we’re seeing huge (demand) for our services, and this is going to provide little to no wait times.

“We’re going to be able to employ more doctors, more nurses, more allied health practitioners to be able to provide those services in a timely manner.”

Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the funding will help BDAC meet the needs of their community.

“It’s a real testament to BDAC that they’ve outgrown their current footprint and need these new spaces,” she said.

“They are extraordinary in the work that they do in ensuring that people have not only the healthcare that they need but it’s delivered in a culturally appropriate and sensitive way.”