By Holly McGuinness
A Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC) that will reduce strain on emergency departments in Whittlesea has officially launched this week at Epping Plaza.
The centre will be open seven days a week, from 10am to 8pm and attend to non-life threatening injuries or illnesses that may require urgent care but not an emergency response.
It’s the first of 25 centres that will roll out across the state with locations considered by the state government based on population, community needs and that region’s emergency department demand.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas officially launched the centre and said “Having the first of our Priority Primary Care Centres open is a huge boost to the system – taking pressure off local GPs and Emergency departments and providing more options for patients in the northern suburbs.”
The centre has the capacity to offer pathology and imaging services and provide stitches, basic fracture management, treat minor burns, Gastroenteritis and more.
Services provided by GPs at the centre will be free, even for patients without Medicare cards.
Premier Daniel Andrews said these centres are part of a comprehensive plan for close to home healthcare for Victorians.
“This will reduce demand on our emergency departments, ensuring those that need urgent care can get it faster and avoid an unnecessary trip to the Emergency Department.”
The facility has been funded for an initial 15 months of operation and the first five centres will cost $14.3 million to establish and run.
The project is funded by the state government and a commissioned partnership with Primary Health Networks.
