Victorians are continuing to access Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCC) in record numbers, and Melton’s new centre will be extending its hours from February 1.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas launched the state’s newest PPCC in Melton in late December, as the state passed 250,000 presentations since centres began opening in late 2022.
Ms Thomas said it remains difficult for many Victorians to access affordable or timely care from a GP, which is why the government has had to
step into primary care to ensure people get the treatment and support they need, when they need it.
“More than a quarter of a million Victorians have now been treated at our Priority Primary Care Centres – taking pressure off busy emergency departments and giving people another option for non-emergency care,” she said.
PPCCs partner with nearby hospital emergency departments. They provide free care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response. This includes conditions like mild infections and burns, suspected fractures or broken bones. They also offer pathology and imaging services.
Melton’s Station Road Centre is one of 29 centres helping to relieve pressure on busy emergency departments, reduce wait times and increase affordable, after-hours care options for Victorians.
Following the progressive opening of PPCCs since September 2022, more than 6,500 people are now receiving care each week, with 40 per cent patients being young children.
According to the government 53 per cent of patients have reported that had a PPCC not been available, they would have otherwise gone to an emergency department for common ailments such as lacerations, fractures, minor burns, tonsillitis, and respiratory tract infections – all conditions that might require urgent attention, but not emergency care.
The Melton centre will extend its hours from February 1 to 8am to 10pm seven days a week.
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the new centre will be boon for Melton.
“It now means locals can be seen and treated quickly and without the stress that comes with waiting in a busy hospital emergency department,” he said.
Details: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres-ppccs.
