Town medical practice restored

RESIDENTS of Smythesdale and surrounds are set to have access to dedicated health services at The Well once again.

Two medical practitioners will soon be operating on site, with $50,000 of support from the State Government, and another $50,000 from Berrybank Wind Farm operators Global Power Generation Australia.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said local health services are integral to regional communities.

“This is incredibly important. When doctors’ services closed down here, a lot of people got in contact,” she said.

“They put together a petition and were really crying out, and it’s especially important for many of the older members in the community who don’t want, or can’t travel, to Ballarat.”

The facility has been without a medical practitioner following the departure of Ballarat Community Health earlier this year.

The Well’s clinic rooms are set to be fitted out with new equipment and amenities, with plans to incorporate allied health and podiatry alongside general practice.

An independent clinic group have taken on the lease, aiming to be operational by mid-November.

The group’s practice manager Julie Conidi said the team are excited to start helping people.

“When we saw there was going to be an opening, we thought this would be something we could take on,” she said.

“We don’t want a revolving door of doctors either. We want to maintain the continuity of patient care here.

“Maybe in the future we’ll even be able to bring in an occupational therapist and speech pathologist. In an aging population, it will be great to have someone on board.

“If someone comes in with minor trauma, we’ll be able to treat them here, and we’re fortunate enough that we’ll be able to send clients to Ballarat Base for anything big.”