A NEW purpose-built health clinic in Midland is set to significantly expand access to culturally safe care for Aboriginal people, as population growth and rising demand place increasing pressure on services in Perth’s east.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (Derbarl Yerrigan) opened its new $7.9 million Midland clinic this week, funded through the federal government’s Closing the Gap Plan and with support from the Minderoo Foundation, delivering a major uplift in capacity to address chronic disease, mental health and preventive care.

The facility more than doubles the size of the existing clinic, expanding from five to 10 consulting rooms, alongside new treatment areas, social and emotional wellbeing spaces and future dental suites.

The expansion comes as Midland experiences rapid growth, with the Aboriginal population in the City of Swan now estimated at almost 4,900 people - more than three times the metropolitan average proportion.

The existing clinic has struggled to keep pace, currently seeing around 50 patients a day and providing close to 12,000 episodes of care annually, while turning away an average of 10 patients daily due to limited space.

Derbarl Yerrigan chairperson Nathan Riley said the new clinic was a critical investment in closing the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“We are seeing increasing demand for services, particularly around chronic disease and social and emotional wellbeing, and our existing clinic has simply not been able to keep up,” Mr Riley said.

“This new Midland clinic is about breaking down the barriers to accessing care and providing accessible, culturally secure, wrap-around care that supports people at every stage of life.”

The new clinic has been designed as a full-circle health hub, bringing together primary care, specialist services and social and emotional wellbeing support under one roof.

Services include GP care, chronic disease management, preventive health checks, immunisations, pathology, podiatry, eye health and visiting specialists, with plans to expand into dental services.

The clinic aims to reduce pressure on tertiary services by focusing on prevention and early intervention, supporting better long-term health outcomes and reducing avoidable hospital admissions.

Mr Riley said culturally safe care was central to improving engagement and health outcomes.

“We know that when people feel safe, respected and understood, they are more likely to access care earlier and more often,” he said.

“Our model of care is grounded in culture, connection and community. That’s what drives better health outcomes.”

The clinic’s design was shaped through a cultural immersion process, with workshops involving community members, Elders and staff to ensure the space reflects local culture and identity.

Features include natural materials, Noongar language signage, a yarning circle within the reception area and family-friendly spaces designed to create a welcoming, non-clinical environment.

Located in Midland (traditionally known as Mandjanup), the clinic sits within an area of deep cultural significance for Noongar people, long recognised as a place of gathering, connection and community.

Mr Riley said the new facility would strengthen that role, providing not just health care, but a trusted place for the community.

“This clinic is more than a building - it’s a place where our community can come together, feel safe and receive the care they need,” he said.

“It reflects what culturally secure, community-led health care should look like.”

The Midland clinic is expected to significantly increase capacity, reducing unmet demand and allowing more Aboriginal families to access services closer to home, without needing to travel into the city.

Derbarl Yerrigan is one of the leading providers of Aboriginal health care in metropolitan WA, delivering culturally secure services that support the physical, social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal people.