Aboriginal health clinic to open in Umina

A new aboriginal health outreach clinic is to open at the former premises of Family Medicine Umina Beach, in Berith St, which closed last week.

In the short term, it will run a Covid-19 vaccination clinic, but officially take over the premises from Dr Jay Chellaldurai in November.

"Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services Ltd is opening the clinic on the southern end of Darkinjung Country to respond to health needs of the aboriginal community living in the Peninsula region," said Yerin chief executive Ms Belinda Field.

It would be the only dedicated aboriginal community-controlled health service with GPs, nurses and aboriginal health staff, she said.

"We have to be swift and take a self-determining role in creating this new service and extending our services located at Wyong to the aboriginal community residing on the Peninsula."

"The board, community and key partner organisation Mingaletta Aboriginal Corporation, have recognised for many years the need to establish a culturally-responsive health service in this area."

Ms Field said the service would "respond to the large gap in health expectancy that Aboriginal people continue to experience by offering local community solutions".

"In collaboration with Dr Jay and his team, Yerin Eleanor Duncan will start to offer vaccines to the local aboriginal community from Tuesday, October 5, to boost the vaccination rates and will officially take over the premises effective November."

SOURCE:

Media release, 17 Sep 2021

Belinda Field, Yerin Eleanor Duncan