SUNRAYSIA’s first medical “super clinic” will open in Mildura at the end of this month.
The $10 million private medical centre on the corner of Thirteenth Street and Ontario Avenue is right next to the Mildura Base Hospital.
It is the concept of property developer Larry Dimasi, who has established many buildings in Sunraysia, including the redevelopment of Mildura’s K-Mart store.
Mr Dimasi described the clinic as “seven buildings in one”.
It will include services from general practitioners at Tristar Medical Group, radiology, a skin specialist, and a boutique cafe which will offer “special coffee and unique food for patients”.
“The hospital will complement what the Mildura Base Hospital already does,” Mr Dimasi said.
“I was aware of a demand for a super clinic in Mildura and responded to that.
“There was a need to upgrade infrastructure and services.
“Tristar will bring GPs and specialists into the district on a supply and demand basis.
“The State Government has supported super clinics for a number of years, but they haven’t got too many off the ground because of the red tape they have associated with these types of clinics – they are difficult to put together.
“It has taken me three years to put this together, in terms of negotiating and dealing with doctors and planning permits to design, construction and implementation of equipment.”
While portions of the medical centre are open, it is “now in the hands of the specialists to complete their fit-out works”, Mr Dimasi said.
Indulge Apartments, which is located in the top storey of the building, has been operating since Christmas.
“It will be for visiting doctors and also for visiting specialists, and general accommodation for the Mildura Golf Club,” he said.
Mr Dimasi facilitated the development though his businesses. It was designed by Inland Consultants and constructed by Dolfen Developments and has been leased by Sofan.
Mildura Base Hospital’s acting chief executive officer Trevor Matheson said he anticipated the opening would lead to smoother medical operations in the district.
“It will increase our ability to provide patient consultations with specialists, physicians, general surgeons, paediatricians, obstetricians and gynaecologists,” Mr Matheson said.
Specialist dermatologist Dr Lloyd Hale said he looked forward to operating in the new medical centre.
“It is the first fully-integrated medical facility in Sunraysia,” Dr Hale said.
“I will continue to provide specialist dermatology and skin cancer services.
“I believe it will be a great benefit to patients to have primary care and specialist services together with radiology and pharmacy under one roof.
“It’s great that it is in proximity to the Mildura Base hospital, the private hospital and Monash medical school.”
A spokesperson for Victoria’s Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said Mildura’s new private medical clinic would give Sunraysia families peace of mind by providing greater access to local medical services.
“The clinic will also alleviate some of the pressure placed on the Mildura Base Hospital due to the region’s growing population,” she said.
“Minister Ryan and Member for Milsura Peter Crisp remain committed to delivering on the Coalition’s $5 million pledge to expand capacity and increase services at the Mildura Base Hospital.”
This story appeared in Friday’s Sunraysia Daily 04/02/2011.
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