Clinical issues

By Kath Gannaway
LIBERAL MP for Evelyn Christine Fyffe has welcomed details on the services which will be provided by the Lilydale Super Clinic, but says there are still questions which need answering.
Ms Fyffe issued a question on notice to Health Minister, Daniel Andrews, asking what medical services would be provided, on how many days, and to whom.
Ms Fyffe said Yarra Ranges residents had been waiting for six years for the clinic and deserved to be kept informed.
“At this stage we will have no formal opening date. We have been told mid-2008 but are still no closer to having confirmation of the exact opening date,” she said.
A spokesman for the minister told the Mail last week that the super clinic was set to open “in the coming months”.
He said it would provide day surgery, medical outpatients, day chemotherapy, maternity, palliative, mental health youth and sub-acute ambulatory care services. A general practice clinic would also be part of the operation, although details of opening hours, and whether would provide bulk-billing and after hours services was not spelled out.
Ms Fyffe said she remained sceptical about whether the services were locked in, and how they would be achieved.
“What has to be remembered is that the state government devised the super clinic as an all-in one health centre to take pressure off Victoria’s over-stretched hospitals,” she said.
“Have they got the doctors, or are they just going to roster staff on for one day every couple of weeks from Maroondah,” she questioned in relation to the GP clinic.