Works set to start

By Dion Teasdale
CONSTRUCTION of the Lilydale Super Clinic will commence in the next three months, Health Minister Bronwyn Pike announced last week.
Visiting Lilydale to announce the new name for the super clinic – Yarra Ranges Health – Ms Pike said construction was due for completion in late 2007.
She said the clinic, which has a budget of $15 million, would be built in Clarke Street, adjacent to the Ranges Community Health Service.
She said that once the service was open it would met the health needs of the Yarra Valley, giving people ready access to a full range of public health services.
“The purchase of extra land to cater for a future expansion as a local health precinct is well under way and planning is well on track,” Ms Pike said.
“The Lilydale Super Clinic will make this area an even better place to live and raise a family.”
Ms Pike said the local knowledge of the Community Advisory Group, made up of community and health care representatives from across the Shire of Yarra Ranges, was invaluable in developing the $15 million project.
“Yarra Ranges Health is a key part of our program to provide health services in the communities where people live and is one of three such facilities the Government has committed to build,” Ms Pike said.
“It will provide specialist treatment and support for people with complex medical conditions but in a community setting rather than a hospital.
“This will reduce the likelihood of people requiring hospitalisation by getting appropriate care to them beforehand.”
Evelyn MP Heather McTaggart said that with new technology and medical advances, more health procedures were performed on a short-stay or same-day basis.
“This is where Lilydale and our other super clinics will be at the forefront, using the most up-to-date medical procedures, equipment and pharmaceuticals to treat people,” Ms McTaggart said.
“It will be an alternative to hospital-based services but will have a direct link to hospitals, local GPs, community health, hospitals and other community agencies.”
Ms McTaggart said Yarra Ranges Health would provide diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for patients, including day surgery, specialist rehabilitation and community mental health services.