Community’s dream comes alive with laverton’s integrated gp/community health service: health minister

Released on 15th June 2015

Minister for Health and local member for Altona, Jill Hennessy, is excited to see Laverton’s vision realised by the launch of its first integrated GP and community health clinic.

At an inspection of the new cohealth clinic today with the Hobson’s Bay Mayor and local community members, the Minister said, “This is the final piece of the puzzle. The community of Laverton have driven the vision of what they want here at the Laverton Community Hub and it’s wonderful to see this realised today.

The cohealth clinic will bring much needed GP and health services, in a one-stop integrated model, to one of Melbourne’s fastest growing populations.

It will provide GPs, nursing services, occupational therapy, podiatry, family counselling, and diabetes education, while Vision Australia and Dorevitch Pathology will run vision clinics and pathology services respectively.

The Minister acknowledged the link between the social and economic health of a community, and the health of its people.

“This facility recognises the need to meet people where they are and provide the sorts of services – both health and social – that people need to live a life of dignity today and into the future”, Minister Hennessy said.

“It’s vital that the development of services is led by community; not imposed on it. She said she was pleased that cohealth, with its commitment to engaging consumers in the design and delivery of health services, had risen to the challenge of operating the clinic for a community that deserved a high quality service.

Community leader and long time Laverton resident, Anne Knight, said her community needed mental health services, drug and alcohol services, services for people with chronic and complex illness, and was delighted that cohealth specialised in all these areas.

“If cohealth can support and assist our people it will be of great benefit to them, their families, and the community – they can start realising their potential, and start to be productive and active members of our community.

cohealth’s Chair, Kay Rundle, said cohealth had a proud history of working in Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs, and believed strongly in the rights of all people to be able to access a welcoming health service that addressed all their health needs, and was willing to speak out on behalf of the communities it served.

“The clinic will develop health services together with the community to meet the specialised needs of families, children, vulnerable people and communities, including refugees and asylum seekers living in the Laverton area”, Ms Rundle said.

Hobsons Bay Mayor, Cr Colleen Gates, was pleased to hear of focus on prevention and early intervention.

Leading up to the opening of the new clinic on 29 June, cohealth will participate in The Laverton Community Hub Open Day on Saturday 20 June and welcome community members to visit the clinic, meet staff and register with the clinic.

Select a location and book online

Book Online Book Online Book Online Book Online Book Online Book Online Book Online