June 3, 2021
The official opening of a new allied health facility in Kingaroy will fill a gap in the market, according to South Burnett Care CEO Cheryl Dalton.
The Allied Health Therapy Group – a separate business unit under the South Burnett Care Board – is located in the former South Burnett Lawyers building at 1-3 Mary Street.
The building has been completely renovated and a new, wheelchair-accessible entrance created facing Freemans Lane.
Practice manager Megan Scott said occupational therapist Katie Yeates was already based at the centre but there was room for more allied health professionals to join.
As well as the six office spaces and a therapy room, there is a conference room – fitted out for telehealth consultations – which is available to hire.
At the western end of the building, another separate business unit, Queensland Plan Management Service, has set up office.
Janine Nielsen is an NDIS plan manager, managing NDIS budgets for clients and handling the payment of bills.
South Burnett Care chair Paul Laurentiussen said visiting the old South Burnett Lawyers building brought back memories.
“Thirteen and a half years ago I came here for a job interview,” he said. “It was all avocado green.”
And it was still avocado green when South Burnett Care bought it.
He said what had been done with the building since had created a new asset for the community.
Cheryl said having patients visiting allied health professionals based in Kingaroy, rather than visiting specialists, meant wages stayed in the community.
“Every little bit makes a difference,” she said.
No GP referral is necessary to see the occupational therapist.
Best thing to happen in Kingaroy for a long time.