Government boost for Trafalgar health services

A State Government grant has enabled the Trafalgar Primary Care centre to upgrade and expand its services.

Funding was provided through the government’s Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund and has enabled the centre to provide more health and wellbeing services to the local community and create 12 new jobs.

Regional development Minister Harriet Shing said the expanded centre had undergone a major renovation, with new and improved medical equipment and IT systems installed to better serve the community.

The centre provides access to a range of essential and preventative health services including X-ray and skin cancer screening, as well as psychology, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, audiology and optometry.

New jobs created as part of the expansion include a GP registrar, junior doctor, radiographer, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, practice nurse and administration staff.

Ms Shing said the expanded health services and expertise meant locals no longer needed to travel to other towns for screening, imaging and other allied health services.

Trafalgar Primary Care is operated by Trafalgar Medical and also provides training to GP registrars, interns, medical students, nursing students and administration staff.

“More doctors and expanded primary health services are essential in providing quality care for local communities, closer to home.

“Not only has this project benefited the health of the community, but it’s created more local jobs, boosted business growth, and attracted more expertise to West Gippsland,” she said.