William Creek celebrates opening of community health centre

The new community health centre is a 24/7 facility open to anyone, including tourists.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service currently lands at William Creek around 30 times a year to conduct fly-in community health clinics and airlift critically ill patients to major hospitals at all hours of the day and night.

As the closest town to Lake Eyre North and the gateway to the Simpson Desert, William Creek welcomes more than 26,000 tourists a year and is a hub for nearby station communities.

Kirsty Williams said the community was shocked the health centre happened so quickly.

"It's the first of its kind in Australia," she said.

"This started two years ago from a couple of phone calls, a couple of letters and a couple of us filling out a needs analysis surveys and now we have had the official opening.

Mrs Williams said anyone could ring the buzzer, have their blood pressure taken and speak to a doctor in Adelaide.

"It is amazing for our little town of William Creek," she said.

"It is something we are really proud of and it just shows the power of a community banning together and it's things like this that will keep families in the bush."

Prior to the community centre opening, RFDS teams would consult with local patients at the William Creek Hotel.

In the event of an emergency, there was nowhere for the community to effectively provide first-aid to patients in a safe, private and secure environment with medical provisions.

The nearest health clinic to William Creek is located more than two hours' drive on dirt roads.

Outback Communities Authority chair, Jan Ferguson, said the OCA was committed to supporting remote residents and the essential services needed to live and work in the bush.

"Together with the RFDS, we continue to work to meet the needs of remote communities such as William Creek," she said.

"Our investment in this fantastic facility will enable the RFDS to deliver an improved patient experience, including expanded allied health services such as oral health."

SA Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister, Clare Scriven said it was fantastic news for the outback communities who rely on the vital services of the RFDS.

"It's wonderful that the state government is working with the federal government, OCA and the RFDS, so together we can deliver and improve services for outback communities."