By Ewen McRae
The multi-million dollar Melton Health and Community Services centre has been unveiled, bringing together a variety of health services under the one roof.
The $21 million centre will be home to services offered by Djerriwarrh Health Services, Melbourne Health-Mid West Area Mental Health Service, MacKillop Family Services, CoHealth and Odyssey House Victoria.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, who opened the centre last week, said bringing together connected services in the same building would deliver better health outcomes for Melton.
“The Melton health hub is a one-stop shop to give the growing community better access to the health services that everybody needs – all under the one roof,” she said.
“We know that time-poor families need convenience … that’s exactly what this hub offers.”
The Barries Road facility features consulting rooms, group rooms, a gym, training and assessment rooms, and a kitchen, as well as staff areas and a mental health tribunal room.
The centre will provide access to health services for women, children and families, while indigenous health services, chronic disease intervention and prevention, and mental health, drug and alcohol support are also available. The centre currently has 500 patients a week using its services, with that number expected to grow.
Djerriwarrh Health Services chief executive Belinda Scott said the centre was an important addition for the growing community.
“Having all these services sharing a facility means there are more opportunities for collaboration and [it] removes some barriers,” Ms Scott said.
“It’s really important because the centre is really designed around vulnerable families … they are more likely to fall through the cracks.
“Having all the service partners under the one roof means that it’s less likely that will happen, so we have better outcomes for families in our community.
“There is significant growth in our community and there is a significant need for the services on offer here across the west and in the Djerriwarrh catchment.”
