RESIDENTS of Smythesdale and surrounds are set to have access to dedicated health services at The Well once again.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said local health services are integral to regional communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is incredibly important. When doctors\u2019 services closed down here, a lot of people got in contact,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put together a petition and were really crying out, and it\u2019s especially important for many of the older members in the community who don\u2019t want, or can\u2019t travel, to Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
The facility has been without a medical practitioner following the departure of Ballarat Community Health earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The Well\u2019s clinic rooms are set to be fitted out with new equipment and amenities, with plans to incorporate allied health and podiatry alongside general practice.<\/p>\n
An independent clinic group have taken on the lease, aiming to be operational by mid-November.<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s practice manager Julie Conidi said the team are excited to start helping people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we saw there was going to be an opening, we thought this would be something we could take on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want a revolving door of doctors either. We want to maintain the continuity of patient care here.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe in the future we\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone comes in with minor trauma, we\u2019ll be able to treat them here, and we\u2019re fortunate enough that we\u2019ll be able to send clients to Ballarat Base for anything big.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n