Progress at December 2006

After much consultation with the local Council, staff from Eastern Health and Ranges Community Health Service, architects and consultants, building works at the site have commenced.

In September 2006, the early works comprising infrastructure and car parking started and are planned to be completed by early 2007. At the end of November 2006, work on the main site commenced and completion of Yarra Ranges Health is expected in early to mid 2008.

Recommendations on the building design and garden features by the local Aboriginal community have been supported by the Yarra Ranges Health Community Advisory Group (CAG) and have been incorporated into the design of the new service. The CAG has also been involved in developing information, including a brochure, for the local community, advising them of developments.

 Media releases

 Images

Artists impression of the new Yarra Ranges Health facility

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike MP celebrates the naming of Yarra Ranges Health (formally Lilydale Super Clinic) with members Community Advisory group.

Yarra Ranges Community Medical Service was officially opening by Eastern Health’s Community Health Program Manager Jane Judd, local member for Seymour Ben Hardman and Dr Inan Khan in October 2006.

 Progress background

Yarra Ranges Health

Yarra Ranges Health - previously referred to as the Lilydale Super Clinic will be an innovative development providing specialist coordinated services to meet a wide range of patient needs from the one facility. Yarra Ranges Health will be co-located with the Ranges Community Health Service (CHS) in Lilydale.

Eastern Health will work in partnership with Ranges Community Health Service and local General Practitioners, providing services including day surgery, chemotherapy, community mental health, specialist clinics, and specialist allied health and rehabilitation services to meet the needs of the community.

In mid March, the Hon. Bronwyn Pike officially announced the name of the Lilydale Super Clinic – Yarra Ranges Health. With works due for completion on the new service in early to mid 2008, Yarra Ranges Health will ensure improved access to services to the growth corridor of the outer eastern region of Melbourne including out in to the Yarra Ranges region.

Yarra Ranges Community Medical Service

Yarra Valley Community Health and Eastern Health have been very vigilant in identifying the needs of this community and successfully sought funding from the Victorian State Government for the development of the Yarra Valley Community Medical Service in 2005.

The project really had its beginnings in 2002 when in partnership with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, the working party on Acute Emergency and General Practitioner Shortage identified the need for a service of this nature.

Yarra Valley Community Medical Service will work closely with new and existing health initiatives like diagnostic services and new health facilities in the region to meet local needs.

Yarra Valley Community Health Service, a member of Eastern Health, is committed to meeting community needs. This is supported by the fact that 10% of the Yarra Valley population accessed services there in 2005/06. This is expected to rise even further now that a Medical Practitioner has joined the team.