New GP Service up and running for La Perouse

From left to right: Meg Parker, Dr Jenny Lonergan, Crisse Longbottom
Danny Allende at La Perouse Community Health Centre

Following many years of planning and waiting patiently, the La Perouse Aboriginal community has its own GP service operating from the La Perouse Community Health Centre.

Gamay Health is a new service being managed and operated by the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council with an initial establishment funding grant provided by Central and Eastern Sydney PHN from the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Indigenous Australians’ Health Program.

The health service seeks to address the long-term absence of a local GP for the local Aboriginal community. Dr Jennifer Lonergan (affectionately known within community as Dr Jenny), is leaving her usual practice of Erskineville Doctors one day per week to provide Gamay Health’s GP service.

She will be supported by local reception staff members Crisse Longbottom and Makayla Horwood with the practice management being provided by Danny Allende.

Dr Lonergan’s usual Practice Manager, Meg Parker has also been instrumental in providing expert guidance and mentoring to set up the practice ready for day-to-day operation.

Whilst the service is initially operating one day per week, the aim is to be able to extend and grow the service according to demand and in the longer term to be fully self-sustainable and remain community owned and operated.

It’s been a long-term vision and ambition of the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Alliance to have this service available for community members and the opportunity to do so has been a substantial body of work and a steep learning curve which has been enthusiastically embraced.

Practice Manager, Danny Allende, said: “We’re excited to give community members the opportunity to access a local, culturally safe GP service”.

Gamay Health service is currently operating on Wednesdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm.

The service will be offering annual health assessments for patients and comprehensive health care services along with routine appointments for GP consultations.

For any queries please contact info@gamayhealthservices.org.au