Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Clinic Profile
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Location
The head office of the Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (SHSAC) is located in the centre of Katherine, which is approximately 320km South East of Darwin. SHSAC oversees a total of nine health centres located to the East of Katherine, along what is known as the ‘Top Road’ (the Arnhem Highway) and the ‘Bottom Road’ (the Roper Highway). The SHSAC services a 75,000km sub-tropical area.
Category
John Flynn Scholars, Prevocational Doctors (PGPPP) and GP Registrars
Population
Around 3500 regular clients from local Aboriginal communities and a range of pastoral properties utilise the Sunrise Health Service.
Major Language Groups
Ten principal language groups are represented in the region covered by Sunrise Health Service. Kriol is the main language of the region, with English generally being spoken as a second or third language.
Access via Road
Katherine is three hours drive from Darwin along Stuart Highway. Katherine is serviced by coach through Greyhound Australia. The remote health centres are located 300 - 600 km from Katherine. There is road access to all communities, although much of it is unsealed.
Access via Air
There is an airstrip - no commercial flights operate, however charter flights can be arranged.
Seasonal Access
During the wet season from November to March some roads are impassable and the airstrip can be closed at short notice. The communities of Ngukurr, Urapunga and Minyerri are often isolated for up to a month and communities like Wugularr and Jilkminggan are regularly flooded. For the latest road access report, visit http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/.
Outstations Serviced
Top Road communities serviced include Werenbun, Manyallaluk, Barunga, Wugularr, Bulman and Weemol. Bottom Road communities serviced include Mataranka, Jilkminggan, Minyerri, Kewulyi, Ngukurr, Urapunga, Badawarrka and Wubalawun.
Health Centre Information
Facilities and rooms: The Head Office is located in the town centre of Katherine and nine health centres are located to the East of Katherine.
Staff: Sunrise Health Service currently employs more than 130 staff, with 60 per cent of staff being Indigenous across its nine health centres.
Community Programs
Primary clinical care services
Emergency care
Health promotion
Social support services
Health checks for well adults and children
Chronic disease care
Nutrition programs
Aged Care programs
Women’s and Maternal Health programs
Child Health services including aural health programs
Men’s Health programs
Physical Activity programs
Healthy for Life Program
Visiting Specialists
General Practitioners visit all communities, either one, two, three or four days a week according to the size and health care needs of the community. Communities also receive services from visiting specialists including mental, dental and environmental health officers provided by the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services. The Centre for Disease Control also operates in communities as required when outbreaks of contagious diseases are reported by clinic staff.
Open Times
Mon – Fri: 0830hrs – 1200hrs | 1300hrs – 1630hrs
Contact Details
Sunrise Health Service
PO Box 1696
Katherine NT 0851
Head Office:
Pandanus Plaza
Level 1, 25 First Street
Katherine NT 0851
P: (08) 8971 1120| F: (08) 8971 2511
E: [email protected]
W: www.sunrise.org.au
Additional information
SHSAC is a primary health care service which assists both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Jawoyn and Roper River regions of the Northern Territory. SHSAC has been operating for more than four years and has a comprehensive staff training and development program.
Useful Links
www.sunrise.org.au
Community Profile
Community Information
The Territory’s fourth largest town, Katherine is often called the ‘Crossroads of the North’ and is a busy regional centre for communities from the Western Australian border to the Gulf of Carpentaria on the Queensland border. It is the gateway to some of the Top End’s most spectacular natural wonders. The total population of Katherine is over 24,000 people, of which 60 percent identify as Indigenous. Its major local industries are cattle, horticulture, mining and tourism.
History
Katherine was named by explorer John McDouall Stuart in 1862 after the daughter of his expedition sponsor James Chambers. The first inhabitants of Katherine region were the Jawoyn and Dagomen Aboriginal people. The town soon became a popular base for pioneers and for those wishing to explore the Gulf region, Kakadu National Park and the Victoria River Region. In 1872 the Katherine Telegraph Station was established which helped the Katherine area open up to a pastoral empire. The town moved twice before finally establishing at its current location with the completion of the railway bridge in 1926.
Art & Culture
Katherine is a colourful cultural area, with an art gallery, Katherine outback heritage museum, a small but thriving arts scene and an abundance of cultural events which happen during the dry season: Katherine Country Music Muster (May), Barunga Festival (June), Walking with Spirits Festival (July), , Katherine Show (July) and theKatherine Festival (August).
City/Shire Council
Katherine Town Council, which runs the Katherine Visitor Information Centre for visitor tour and accommodation bookings.
Local and Government Services
There are five primary schools, a high school, Charles Darwin University campus, a police station, hospital and three medical clinics. Government agencies include the Motor Vehicle Registry, Territory Housing, Power and Water, NT Health and Centrelink.
Facilities
Katherine offers all the amenities typical of a large Territory town; shopping centre, supermarkets, sports grounds, essential services, restaurants and banking facilities.
Attractions
There are a wide range of attractions, including the famous Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, the Jatbula Trail Walking Track, the Katherine Hot Springs, Springvale Homestead and Leliyn (Edith Falls).
For more details, please visit the Katherine Region link on the Tourism Top End website.
Telecommunications reception and internet access
- Phone access
- ADSL Internet/email access
- Satellite dish
Information on the coverage available from four major carriers is found on their respective websites:
Permits required ie camping, alcohol, beach etc
Drinking alcohol in any public place (parks or Katherine River bank) within Katherine Town boundary is forbidden and penalties apply. Takeaways can only be bought from licensed takeaway outlets in Katherine during the specified time according to the Liquor Supply Plan.
For more information, please visit Alcohol in Katherine,
For camping permit applications visit the Northern Land Council.
Useful Links
www.kwhb.com.au
www.crana.org.au
www.nlc.org.au
