11 November 2015

Media Statement

Local community representatives tour Lake Grace Health Service

Local community representatives have been given a sneak peak of the soon-to-be completed refurbishments taking place at Lake Grace Health Service.

Community representatives Debby Clarke, Mary Naisbitt, Ross Chappell and Amanda Milton were joined by members of the project team responsible for the upgrades and had a chance to see what work has been completed so far.

WA Country Health Service’sSenior Project Manager Infrastructure & Planning (Wheatbelt), Graeme Leverington, said the building upgrades at Lake Grace Health Service were progressing according to plan andwere due to be finished by mid-December.

“Already completed at the site is the new waiting area, new office, storage areas for medical records and pharmacy and the kitchen upgrade,” Mr Leverington said.

“The old kitchen has been refurbished and includes brand new equipment including a combination thermal induction oven, gas hot plates, stainless steel work benches, commercial refrigerator and a new dishwasher.”

Still to be completed is the refurbished emergency department, new reception, a short-term body holding facility, new toilets near reception and an ensuite in one of the wards.

Ms Clarke, who has long been an advocate of improving healthcare in Lake Grace, said it was good to have the opportunity to see the latest developments and the changes that have occurred since their original round-table discussion with the project team.

“It’s great to see a significant investment being made into our health services in Lake Grace and it’s heartening to be able to see that refurbishment plans are taking shape,” Ms Clarke said.

The Lake Grace Health Service redevelopment is funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions as part of the half a billion dollar Southern Inland Health Initiative being delivered by the WA Country Health Service.

The Southern Inland Health Initiative capital works program is more extensive and complex than any project previously undertaken by the WA Country Health Service, with new builds and upgrades to 37 hospitals and health services in the Wheatbelt, South West, Great Southern and Midwest.

In the Wheatbelt, Merredin, Northam and Narrogin hospitals are being redeveloped as well as upgrades to 23 small hospitals and health centres across the region, including the Lake Grace Health Service.

To find out more, go to

Media contact:Kerida Hodge, WA Country Health Service, 6383 1830

Photo (attached): Community representatives and project team members toured the soon-to-be completed Lake Grace Health Services refurbishment.

Left to right: Project Director Infrastructure Delivery from Building Management & Works, Warren Vanalopulos, Site Supervisor from CPD Group, Andrew Larkin, Acting Health Service Manager from Lake Grace Health Service, Kerrie Argent, General Manager from CPD Group, Tony Mercer and community representatives; Mary Naisbitt, Debby Clarke, Ross Chappell and Amanda Milton.