Minister for Health Sussan Ley today opened a new $4.4 million primary health care centre in Wangaratta which will provide increased access to preventative health services for families in Victoria’s north-east.

Ms Ley said the Integrated Primary Health Care Centre included five GP consulting rooms and would employ over 100 staff.

“Increased access to primary health services like this, improves overall health outcomes and keeps people well and out of hospital,” Ms Ley said.

“The multi-disciplinary centre will assist patients to prevent chronic disease through access to a dietician, diabetes education and preventive health care services.”

The Wangaratta centre features consulting areas, three treatment rooms, a pathology collection service, 12 allied health clinic rooms, physiotherapy gym, and community meeting rooms.

Ms Ley said new integrated primary health services in Northern Victoria are helping to reduce diseases like diabetes, some cancers and cardiovascular conditions.

“Through working and engaging with our frontline health professionals and continuing to build our primary health care services we can improve regional patient health outcomes.

“Quality improvements to local primary health care systems, including better integration of disease prevention and management strategies will enable people to get the care they need earlier.”

In addition to the new service in Wangaratta, the Australian Government has also invested $3.9 million to establish a new primary health care clinic in Wodonga and $4 million for a new community health centre in Numurkah.