Five new GP-led care centres are to be established in Melbourne and Ballarat to give Victorians in need of medical attention an alternative to visiting hospital Emergency Departments (EDs).
Announced by Premier Daniel Andrews, the five new Priority Primary Care Centres will provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
“Working with our primary health networks and partner hospitals, these five new centres will open over coming months, and operate seven days a week and 16 hours a day,” Mr Andrews said.
“The centres will be able to handle conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns, and offer pathology and imaging services,” he said.
“Accepting walk-ups, referrals and pre-booked appointments, the clinics will ensure vital ED resources are freed up for patients with more critical needs, taking pressure off EDs as we continue to face record levels of demand for care.”
Mr Andrews said four Centres would be set up in Melbourne, close to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Northern Hospital Epping, Sunshine Hospital and the Monash Medical Centre Clayton, while the fifth would be near Grampians Health in Ballarat.
He said the sites were selected following consideration of population, community needs and ED demand.
“Victorian EDs are the busiest they have ever been, with presentations hitting a record 486,701 in the most recent quarter – an increase of 5.1 per cent from the previous quarter,” the Premier said.
“The new Centres will help improve treatment times and reduce waiting times in EDs, while providing an alternative care pathway for non-emergency patients.”
