Medical specialists from the John James Memorial Foundation will visit Katherine and surrounding community clinics to carry out a one-week blitz of healthcare.
John James is a not-for-profit healthcare charity based in Canberra providing philanthropic specialist medical facilities, support and services to the Australian community.
Specialists will arrive in Katherine on Sunday May 18 before beginning the blitz on Monday May 19.
This is the first of four planned visits to Katherine between May and August this year and will involve experts in the areas of; Ear, Nose & Throat; Dental; Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Opthalmology; Orthopaedics and Anaesthetics. Further visits may also occur later in the year.
The specialists will work in Katherine Hospital, Wuliwurlinjang Aboriginal Medical Service, the Katherine West Health Board and the Sunrise Health Service.
Katherine Hospital General Manager Robin Smith says the visit is part of a concentrated increase in capacity.
"The medical specialists from John James Memorial Foundation will complement the hospitals current medical team and assist with fast-tracking some specialist treatment to the people of Katherine and its surrounding communities," says Mr Smith.
Katherine District Hospital is an accredited 60-bed, non-specialist medical diagnostic and treatment facility that services about 20,000 people living in a catchment area of 370,000 square kilometers - one and a half times the size of Victoria.
Media Contact: Cameron Jackson, 0401 116 144
Media Note: A photo opportunity will be available with the John James specialists, representatives from Katherine health organisations and Katherine Mayor Anne Shepherd will be available on Monday May 19.
Time: 12 Midday
Where: Katherine Hospital Board Room
Release date: 15 May 2008
