RUN-down dental facilities in Footscray must be replaced or face risk of closure, Western Region Health Centre chief executive Lyn Morgain has warned.
Last week, the Weekly reported a dental services taskforce, chaired by western suburbs Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury, had found a series of issues clouding the Footscray services’ future.
Ms Morgain welcomed the tabling of the taskforce report in Parliament and the promise of funding to pursue its recommendations.
“It’s important we progress this work as a priority as buildings and equipment are old and worn out and clinics [at Paisley Street and Geelong Road] at risk of closing if equipment fails,” she said.
The report found the clinics had been besieged by termite damage. There was a vermin risk and dental chairs were rusty.
Health Minister David Davis promised $200,000 to explore options identified in the report.
WRHC provides emergency and general dental care to more than 10,000 adults and children each year. Ms Morgain said these patients would otherwise be unable to access this essential health service.
WRHC wants services at two existing locations merged into one redeveloped 12-chair dental clinic in Paisley Street.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland warned against further “delay tactics”. “I’m going to be particularly alert to any attempt to push the clinics into a mobile van as a cost-cutting measure,” she said. – Benjamin Millar
