By Renee Wood
A meeting to discuss the case for a Healesville Urgent Care Centre to be established at the hospital has been secured by Services for Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG).
This follows the State Government’s announcement it’s supporting the roll out 25 new urgent care services on Tuesday 30 August.
Chairperson Jane Judd said members of the group will be meeting with the health minister’s chief of staff to put forward a case for Healesville to be included in the next tenm, which are yet to be announced.
SHHAG will be securing supporting data that will highlight the needs for the service that would support the people of Healesville and towns on the Melba, Warburton and Maroondah Highways.
It’s something the group’s been pushing for over the past decade due to the lack of services in the region.
It’s believed the government is currently analysing suitable locations for future sites and as part of that work, announcements are expected in coming months.
After the initial announcement, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the initiative will assist EDs and fast track non-emergency cases.
“Not only will this initiative free up beds in the ED for those with the most critical needs, but it will also fast track non-emergency patients so they can receive the treatment they need in a more comfortable setting,” Ms Thomas said.
