Six new houses for clinicians in Jigalong target healthcare staff shortages in the Pilbara

Six new houses for Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service clinicians aim to alleviate the ongoing housing crisis for healthcare workers in the Pilbara. The new accommodation, which comes through $3.5 million in State Government funding, is located in the Jigalong community in East Pilbara. The six two-bedroom dwellings will replace four existing houses that were being used by healthcare workers at PAMS. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the new accommodation was necessary for an organisation that undertook important work in the Pilbara. “The Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service does a fantastic job supporting communities throughout the East Pilbara and I am so pleased we have been able to assist them with new housing for their staff,” she said. “Not only are the new houses more modern and functional than those that were there before, but PAMS now also has an extra two houses at its disposal for healthcare workers.” PAMS is an Aboriginal community health operator that services the Jigalong Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji, and Newman communities with culturally appropriate healthcare. The news comes as it was revealed the Town of Port Hedland will supply housing for the GP who is set to start at the new Marlu Health clinic.