South Barwon Medical Centre opens new Grovedale clinic amid rising demand

The South Barwon Medical Centre (SMBC) has relocated to Grovedale, opening a larger, purpose-built clinic designed to meet growing demand across Geelong’s south.

The GMHBA-run clinic moved from Settlement Road this week, increasing service access and responding to rising demand.

Almost nine months in the making, the SMBC team moved into their new home this week after working with local trades to fit out the space since April.

The new location includes six GP consulting rooms, a three-bed patient treatment room, a dedicated nurse care plan room and a dedicated physiotherapy room.

The addition of nurse and physiotherapy care spaces is designed to meet growing demand for comprehensive medical and allied health services under the one roof. A pathology collection lab is also located at the side.

Project manager Joanne Lytas said the space has been designed in collaboration with healthcare practitioners.

“It’s very exciting, it’s been great to work with the team and understand what they need in the space for it to work for them,” she said.

“It’s an expanded space and there will be room to grow to different modalities. We might be able to get more allied health here which will support the nurse care coordination team, and it will be incredible to get everyone up here and using the space.”

SMBC practice manager Honor Ringwald said the move is a positive step for the centres more than 4,000 patients.

She said the centre will help staff continue to support patients as best they can.

“The new Grovedale location gives us the opportunity to create a space that truly reflects the way we deliver care today, more connected, more accessible, and designed around our patients’ needs,” Ringwald said.

“We’re excited to welcome both existing and new patients into a centre that will support the health of this growing community well into the future.”

SMBC will continue to provide care for GMHBA members and non-members, serving the growing population across Grovedale, Charlemont, Mount Duneed and Armstrong Creek.

The South Barwon Medical Centre will open to the public on Monday, 6 July at 284 Torquay Road, Grovedale.