Laverton residents say the suburb’s first GP and community health clinic, which opens this month, will help people among society’s most vulnerable, including those experiencing mental health issues, addiction and homelessness.
As reported by Star Weekly in December, Hobsons Bay council has signed a 15-year lease with cohealth, Australia’s newest and largest community health organisation, to run the centre at Laverton Community Hub.
The centre will have GPs, nursing services, occupational therapy, podiatry, family counselling and diabetes education.
Anne Knight, a long-time resident of Laverton and vice-chair of the Laverton Community Association, said many people would benefit.
“I am personally aware that there are many people in our community who are badly affected by mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, chronic diseases, complex needs and even homelessness,” she said.
“There is so much wasted potential in these people that could be of great benefit to our community, if their physical and mental health issues were more effectively treated. With the arrival of cohealth I, at last, see some hope of this happening.”
Cohealth chair Kay Rundle said the clinic was willing to speak out on behalf of the communities it served.
“The clinic will develop health services together with the community to meet the specialised needs of families, children, vulnerable people and communities,” she said.
The centre will open on June 29.
People are invited to visit the clinic and meet staff as part of the Laverton Community Hub open day on June 20.
