Urgent change to care
State Government shoots down concerns of project backflip
AN Urgent Care Centre will be built in Geelong’s north, the State Government has announced.
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy confirmed the $33 million Barwon Health North project would include an Urgent Care Centre, following concerns it had been scrapped.
The Urgent Care Centre will be used by patients with non-life threatening injuries and illnesses that needed immediate care but weren’t serious enough for a visit to an emergency department.
“We promised people of Geelong access to urgent care services closer to home and that’s exactly what we’re delivering,” Ms Hennessy said yesterday. “Extended hours at the urgent care centre will mean people have access to medical care for a range of injuries and illnesses, especially at times when it can be hard to find a GP, or when you just can’t wait for an appointment.”
The Urgent Care Centre will run after business hours and on weekends and won’t require appointments, the State Government confirmed.
Lara MP John Eren said the State Government was “getting on with delivering the safe health services local residents need”.
The announcement comes following concerns the Urgent Care Centre had been scrapped from the project.
Until now, the State Government had not directly confirmed an Urgent Care Centre would be included in the project — instead saying urgent care services would be included.
The Geelong Advertiser this week reported details of a confidential document which showed the Urgent Care Centre was deemed inappropriate, based on demand and financial modelling completed in a July 2016 report.
However, the State Govern- ment’s announcement suggests it has found a way to deliver the Urgent Care Centre.
Barwon Health North will include extra child and family support, along with medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, consulting suites and renal dialysis services.
Construction has begun on the project — located on the site of Waterworld Leisure Centre — with Barwon Health North scheduled to be treating patients by mid-2019.
“We promised people of Geelong access to urgent care services closer to home and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.” STATE HEALTH MINISTER JILL HENNESSY