Indian Ocean Territories Health Service

Delivering high-quality whole-of-life care to our community

About the Health Service

The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, funds and operates the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service (IOTHS). A range of services are offered from facilities on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, including:

primary healthcare, pathology, radiology, pharmacy and acute in-patient care
public, community and child health programs, and antenatal services
aged care, including home and community care
disability services
accident and emergency care, patient assisted travel and emergency medical evacuation
oral healthcare, social work services
telehealth and access to visiting specialist medical care and allied healthcare.

These services are supplemented through a Service Delivery Arrangement with the Western Australian Department of Health, which provides for:

regulatory, policy, governance and specialist medical advice
in-hospital services and care in Western Australia
additional pathology services
mammography screening and assessment services through BreastScreen WA.

The Christmas Island Health Centre comprises of six general ward beds and two emergency department beds. Services are provided by three General Practitioners and 12 nurses to deliver 24/7 acute and primary care to the community.

On the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, services at the Home Island and West Island Clinics are provided by one GP and four nurses. Each of the clinics has one emergency bed and multiple consult rooms. There is limited capacity for inpatient treatment with overnight care only provided in the event of awaiting medical evacuation to Perth.

Patient-centred care

The IOTHS aims to deliver patient centered care to the community underpinned by core values:

Committed to providing a high quality service
Accountable to the community
Respectful of all cultures and individuals
Ethical in all undertakings.

The IOTHS is focused on delivering on the four key priorities of the IOTHS Strategic Plan 2020-25:

Preventative Health Care
Safety, Quality and Infrastructure
Caring for our Seniors
Skilled People.

Visiting Specialists

Paediatrician
Physician
Radiographer
Ophthalmologist
Podiatrist
Breast Screen
Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathologist
Physiotherapist
Dietician, Orthopedic Surgeon
Gastroenterologist
Psychiatrist
Cardiologist
Geriatrician (Telehealth)

Schedule of Fees and Charges

Medical Consultations

No charge is made for consultations covered by the Medicare schedule of benefits if you are an Australian Citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

If you are not eligible for a Medicare card, charges are made according to the Australian Medical Association’s schedule of fees.

Specialist Medical Consultations

Drivers Licence, Visa, dive, pre-employment, occupational safety and health screening will be charged in accordance with the Australian Medical Association schedule of fees.

Oral Health Consultations

Charges are made according to the Department of Veteran Affairs schedule for dental services.

Christmas Island

Christmas Island
33 Phosphate Hill Road
PO Box 865
Christmas Island WA 6798
Phone: 08 9164 8333

Hours of Operation
Service	Hours
GP Service	Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 4.00pm Tuesday: 8.00am to 7.00pm
Emergency Service	24 hours a day 7 days a week
Oral Health	Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm
In-patient Care	24 hours a day 7 days a week

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (West Island)
PO Box 1092
Cocos (Keeling) Islands WA 6799
Phone: 08 9162 6655

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Home Island)
PO Box 101
Cocos (Keeling) Islands WA 6799
Phone: 08 9162 7609

Hours of Operation
Service	Hours
GP Service
Home Island	Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 8.00am to 4.00pm
West Island	Wednesday 8.00am to 4.00pm
Emergency Service	After hours Nurse On-call
Oral Health	Visiting Dental Services