IN LATE 2010, Altona doctor Larry Light was the only western suburbs GP to receive a Commonwealth national primary care grant of $150,000 to expand his Pier Street Medical Centre.
On Monday, the new-look clinic was officially opened.
Dr Light hopes the centre’s expansion will address the dearth of GPs and become a teaching practice for nurses and GP registrars.
He also hopes extra space will allow more patients to visit the clinic’s educator on diabetes, which exists in epidemic proportions in the west.
Like many local practices, the clinic was at capacity, forcing it to put a block on new patients.
The modern building includes five consulting rooms for doctors and allied health professionals and a bigger treatment and pathology centre.
Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon, who was health minister when the grant was awarded, said the centre provided services to people across the west, including three generations of many families.
