The promise of a wide range of health services in the one location accompanied today’s opening of Precision Healthcare Centre in Bundaberg.
The woman behind the development, Dr Pretissha Harrichund, said Bundaberg Region residents would benefit from having a holistic health care service under the one roof.
“I will be offering a closed loop system of holistic care and rehabilitation for patients in one location, with a magnesium hydrotherapy pool and gym that will be used by patients known to the practice initially, but (also) as standalone facilities for any member of the community in the future,” Dr Harrichund said.
“I will be exploring other models to make access to our facilities more universal.”
Formerly based at the Mater Private Hospital, Dr Harrichund hoped the centre would promote the Bundaberg Region by attracting specialists and allied health professionals to serve the community’s healthcare needs.
“The specialists available will be varied,” she said. “At the moment we have a visiting urologist once a week and a visiting neurologist once a month, as well as myself – a specialist physician and endocrinologist.
“I have also been approached by local physiotherapy groups who would like to use our facilities.
“I hope that the base hospital, Mater Hospital and Friendlies Hospital will also eventually take up the opportunity to use the facilities for patients admitted at their respective institutions.”
The centre has seven consulting rooms and a conference room that is intended to host education sessions for medical students, nursing staff, patients, and the public, as well as provide a venue for alternative therapy sessions.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey said the investment was a show of confidence in the region’s healthcare sector and helped fill the community’s need for more services.
“There will be a range of specialists and allied health professionals to manage and treat many different conditions,” the Mayor said.
“I know that Dr Harrichund is concerned about the high rates of obesity and diabetes in the Bundaberg Region (and) this new centre will play an important role in treating these conditions.
“Council appreciates the need for treatment but recognises that better lifestyle choices play an important role in prevention.
“That’s why Council is working with the Queensland Government on a project called ‘Building a Healthy Bundaberg’.
“This involves promoting positive messages, such as having a healthy diet and being more active.”
Mayor Dempsey said he had been a strong advocate over many years for new health services in the Bundaberg Region, including a new Level 5 hospital.
“A new hospital will reduce the number of patients and their families who need to travel to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast for treatment,” he said. “It will also bring more specialists to Bundaberg.
“The healthcare sector is already a major employer in the Bundaberg Region, accounting for nearly 6000 jobs or 16 per cent of the workforce, compared with 13 per cent across the whole of Queensland.
“I believe the health sector will continue to grow as our population grows.”
Mayor Dempsey welcomed Dr Harrichund’s commitment to the promotion of good health and her efforts to introduce allied health and group fitness in a fun environment.
Precision Healthcare Centre, located at Level 1, 19 Branyan Street, Bundaberg, is open 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. For more information visit the centre’s website.
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