Aboriginal health centre Winnunga Nimmityjah offers new services as demand grows

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Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service chief executive Julie Tongs says the centre is struggling with the complex health needs of patients.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service chief executive Julie Tongs says the centre is struggling with the complex health needs of patients. Photo: Melissa Adams

Canberra’s only Aboriginal health centre has introduced new services, including a comprehensive child health clinic and triage system,  to try and keep up with demand.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service has launched a child health e-clinic and triage system where all patients are  assessed by a nurse before seeing a doctor.

Chief executive Julie Tongs said Winnunga was an extremely busy service, with 66 staff and five full-time GPs seeing about 130 patients a day.

Ms Tongs said Winnunga would like more resources to work with families on preventive measures, which would require more funding from all levels of government.