Dialysis patients from the Western Desert may soon have their trial respite clinic in Jigalong. Lotterywest has made a one-off grant of about $160,000 to assist with the repair and refurbishment of a house in Jigalong, known as Lethridge's Place. Together with funds secured from Newcrest Mining, BHP Billiton and the Pilbara Area Consultative Committee, the Lotterywest grant will enable the house to be renovated and equipped with power, water and services capable of sustaining two haemodialysis machines, and a future dental clinic. The facility is for the benefit of Martu people who are currently forced to live in Perth for treatment. During its three-year trial, the facility will operate for up to four times a year for up to two weeks at a time, which will allow Martu dialysis patients to return periodically to the Western Desert to spend time with their families and to fulfil their cultural commitments. The facility will also provide a base for a Western Desert Healthy Lifestyle program designed to assist with the prevention of diabetes and associated renal failure. Internal and external refurbishment work has begun and is scheduled to take four months. After the refurbishment is completed the medical equipment will be installed, and it is hoped the facility will be ready to accept its first patients by the end of this year.