THE Tweed Heads GP Super Clinic has been officially handed over to the local GPs who will run the new $7 million facilities, currently on target for a 31 May opening.
Spokesperson for the group Dr Di Blankensee said it was a big day for herself and fellow consortium members Dr Austin Stern and Dr Jenni Soden and all those who will staff it.
“It’s a very big day – the day we’ve got possession of the building – a building that has taken us over two years to design, create – with blood sweat and tears going into it,” she said.
“We’re hoping that when we open it will be successful and the community will use the services that are going to be provided here and they will be top notch services.”
Dr Blankensee said the new facility, in Corporation Circuit, Tweed Heads South, will provide services from general practitioners, nursing and allied health students.
“What is different about this is that it’s multidisciplinary care,” she said.
“There will be a wide ranges of services in the one place and we will work as a team. For example if you are seeing the physiotherapist or the dietician, that person will be in contact directly with your GP and they’ll work together.
“They will plan things together to work the best for you so the patient is the centre of care rather than more traditional models of care where the patient hasn’t always been the centre of care. That is the difference here.”
The clinic was built thanks to a $7 million grant from the Federal Government and member for Richmond, Justine Elliot was on-hand for the hand over.
“The GP Super Clinic has received strong community support. This service will help take the pressure off the very busy Tweed Hospital, it will deliver better local access to integrated health services,” said Justine.
She said the clinic would have a strong emphasis on education for medical, nursing, and allied health students.
It will have 87 parking spaces and it has been built to be wheelchair friendly for both staff and patients.
Dr Blankensee said the staff was very pleased with how the building had turned out.
“We are absolutely thrilled, we are looking forward to moving in and starting work – it’s so exciting,” she said.
The building has been designed by Andrew Armstrong and his team at Fulton Trotter Architects and built by Hutchinson Builders.
“They have been a great team to work with, really really good,” Dr Blankensee said.
“They’ve got an interest in it too – they are local people. Hopefully we won’t see them too often as patients though,” she laughed.
“But there is still a bit to do – all the furniture has to go in and we have to get the IT system up and going but we are looking forward to being open on 31 May.”
