New Pormpuraaw PHCC Open Day

A community Open Day was held yesterday (14 October) to celebrate the completion of work on the new $35.4 million Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) building.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke said the Open Day allowed members of the community to view the new facility.

Staff have moved into the new facility, and the first patients also were welcomed yesterday. Mr O’Rourke said the Open Day included a blessing of the new facility and traditional dancers.

“This $35.4 million project is an investment in the delivery of high-quality health services for the community,’’ Mr O’Rourke said.

“Extensive consultation with Traditional Owners, local staff, Council and community members informed the design, ensuring the facility reflects local priorities, cultural practices and community expectations.’’

The new PHCC, situated on Yalu St in the community, is part of the Queensland Government’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program.

It was built on the grounds of the existing health facility complex, which allowed the existing PHCC to continue serving the community until the new centre was ready.

Construction was undertaken by Cairns-based company, WIP Constructions. The new facility delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• A resuscitation room and treatment room, multi-purpose medical imaging room including X-ray and ultrasound, and clinical support spaces.
• Six dedicated outpatient mixed-use consult rooms, allowing for current and future demand, as well as the needs of visiting health partners such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
• A dental suite with consultation and clinical work areas, a pathology room for specimen collection and a medical records area.
• A culturally appropriate morgue
• Accessibility and functionality are also prioritised, with features including accessible toilets, staff offices with a meeting room, necessary storage rooms, an enclosed ambulance bay and covered external waiting area.
• Community artworks will also be incorporated.
  Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Ralph Kendall Jnr said the new primary health care centre was an investment that would benefit the community for many years to come.

“We appreciate the significant consultation with our community undertaken by Queensland Health and the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service in the planning for this new facility to ensure community needs are met,’’ Cr Kendall said.

“The local clinic plays a major and, often, lifesaving part in the daily lives of our community and we welcome the ongoing partnership with the health service to ensure vital healthcare continues to be delivered in this modern new and state-of-the-art facility.’’

Mr O’Rourke said the project was being delivered in two distinct stages to ensure continuity of healthcare services and orderly completion of all community infrastructure.

• Stage 1: Completion and commissioning of the new Primary Health Care Centre, including morgue with viewing room and waiting area, enabling delivery of modern healthcare services.
• Stage 2: Cultural landscaping works including completion of the morgue mourning precinct, installation of commissioned local artwork, demolition of the former health facility and associated buildings, completion of car parking and external works.

“A standout feature of the redevelopment is the creation of a culturally responsive mourning and viewing area,’’ Mr O’Rourke said.

“Developed in partnership with Traditional Owners, the space incorporates a significant local tree, dedicated mourning gardens and three separate seating areas.

“The new morgue facility significantly enhances the previous arrangements, creating a place that supports cultural practices, family connection and community needs with dignity and respect.

“The design provides a respectful environment for families and mourners to gather, reflect and pay their respects in a manner that aligns with local cultural expectations.’’

Mr O’Rourke said Stage 2 works were expected to be completed in early 2027.

“This investment will ensure enhanced health care options for residents of Pormpuraaw and the surrounding region and provide modern amenities for both patients and staff,’’ he said.

“It’s exciting to be able to equip the centre’s staff with modern facilities to help them deliver first-rate care to the community.’’

Mr O’Rourke said also of note was that the new Pormpuraaw PHCC was built to a very high standard, given its status as a vital health and government facility in an isolated area.

The health facility is built to the Australian Importance Level 4 (IL4) standard.

“This is a structural standard in Australia designated for post-disaster recovery for structures like hospitals and emergency shelters that must remain functional immediately after a major disaster,’’ Mr O’Rourke said.

“These structures are subject to more stringent design requirements than other buildings to guarantee their operational integrity during and after a critical event.

“Overall, the redevelopment provides a lasting healthcare asset for the Pormpuraaw community and surrounding region and combines modern clinical services with culturally meaningful community infrastructure.’’