Yackandandah, a town known for working to keep essential services operating, can now add the medical centre to its list.
Yackandandah Health’s Committee of Management last week decided to take over operation of the medical practice which had been run by Wodonga practice, Central Medical Group (CMG) on the Yackandandah Health site for the past 16 years.
Yackandandah Health CEO, Annette Nuck said CMG recently advised they would not continue to provide services in Yackandandah after August 31.
“We want to thank them for providing GP services here through the years. We are grateful they are providing their doctors to continue to work here through the transition, while we find a doctor or doctors who want to live and work in this great community and location. One popular doctor, Dr Tess Goodwin has already committed to continue to practice at the Yackandandah Health Medical Centre,” Ms Nuck said.
“The Yackandandah community has a history of fighting to retain essential services – the petrol station story is well known. This community understands that when people travel out of town for such services, other spend also leaves the town. The Committee of Management, which is made up wholly from the local community, felt this was a vital service that is important to save for the community,” she said.
Yackandandah Health is a progressive provider of aged care and allied health services that pursues innovative, inclusive approaches to meet community health needs. While it currently delivers a high-quality lifestyle for its 67 aged residents, work will start next month to build homes for up to 36 people as part of its $14million, four-stage development. This is part of its plan to adopt the European model of multi-generational accommodation and to facilitate more community interaction for residents.
“We see retaining GP services as a positive move for a growing town; one that supports other local businesses.
“We now call on the community to support the medical centre. Locals can also help with the recruitment of the new doctors by spreading the word about the wonderful lifestyle opportunities Yackandandah offers to any GPs they may know.”
Currently the medical centre is not open daily but Ms Nuck said the aim is to build the practice up to offer appointments Monday to Friday.