Health care hopes: 24-hour clinic in pipeline

By Michelle Herbison
BELLARINE Community Health is investigating locations for a 24-hour emergency clinic on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Chief executive officer John Fendyk said he had discussed plans for a 24-hour sub-acute primary health care facility with state and federal governments.
“We’ve already had some discussions and we’re having more,” he told the Independent.
“The (Bellarine Community Health) board is being supportive and we’re looking at having discussions with government regarding support for funding.”
Mr Fendyk said the clinic would service Bellarine Peninsula residents for “minor emergency” procedures including X-rays and plastering.
“We’re proposing a model like this because we don’t think we’ll get a hospital on the Bellarine at this point in time. We’re not planning at this stage to make it a residential-type service.”
Mr Fendyk said the facility would “go a long way to meeting the community’s needs” as populations grew at Ocean Grove, Clifton Springs and Drysdale.
“It fits in with where government direction and policy is. We think this will be a proactive approach to burgeoning population growth,” he said.
Mr Fendyk, a council election candidate for Beangala Ward, expected the process to take “a couple of years”.
“This will be an issue I’ll be pushing from a Bellarine Community Health perspective.”
Barwon Health chief executive officer Professor David Ashbridge said he supported initiatives to improve local services.
“Our population is growing and ageing. Working closely with our partners is important to ensure our community has access to the right care at the right time and in the right place.”
Prof Ashbridge said it was “difficult to comment at this early stage” on how a Bellarine Peninsula facility would ease pressure on Geelong Hospital’s emergency department.
Beangala ward candidate Warren Smith said the facility was a “great idea” that he would “support 100 per cent”, especially as the population grew.
Fellow candidate Carlo Missio said a recently-opened doctor’s clinic proved the need for more medical facilities in the area.
Incumbent ward councillor Jan Farrell said council was yet to see any plans and she declined to comment on the proposal.