28 August 2009

Health one-stop-shop for Pottsville

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, has today inspected the site which has been purchased for the proposed HealthOne at Pottsville.

“The new HealthOne will be a one-stop-shop for Pottsville residents combining GPs, community health and other health professionals,” the Minister said.

“The proposed service will be housed in a purpose-built facility located on crown land in Elizabeth Street, adjacent to the Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre.

“Currently there is no community health facility in Pottsville. The local community receives services form an outreach service operating out of Murwillumbah.

“HealthOne Pottsville will provide local residents with access to community health services working in partnership with the town’s only general practice and visiting health professionals.

“The management of diabetes, cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory diseases in the elderly will be a priority for HealthOne Pottsville,” the Minister said.

HealthOne NSW will:
• Prevent illness and reduce the risk and impact of disease and disability;
• Improve chronic disease management in the community;
• Reduce avoidable admissions and unnecessary demand for hospital care;
• Improve service access and health outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; and
• Build a sustainable model of health care delivery.

Mr Della Bosca said the NSW Government has committed $52 million in capital and recurrent funds over 5 years to establish HealthOne NSW services in a number of locations across the state including Pottsville.

“Planning will be completed this year with tenders for building works to be called in 2010 and construction expected to be completed in 2011,” the Minister added.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au