$9.8 Million Redfern Health Centre Officially Opened

NSW Premier and Minister for Redfern Waterloo, Kristina Keneally, today joined Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt to officially open the centre located on Redfern Street in Redfern.

It is located at the refurbished former Redfern courthouse and former police station.

The new $9.8 million Redfern Health Centre will include:

•                     Community health nursing services providing at home care;

•                     Mental health services including assessment, treatment, case management, psychiatric consultation and crisis intervention;

•                     Harm minimisation program integrated with a primary health care clinic;

•                     HIV/AIDs services including, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, health education, support groups and healthy living programs; and

•                     Patient consultation, treatment rooms and office space.

"This is about responding to the changing needs of the local Redfern and Waterloo communities - and providing a range of clinical services in a single location," Ms Keneally said.

"Redfern and Waterloo are characterised by a strong community spirit, which is also being shared by local health care providers. They are united in partnership with the common goal of caring for the health needs of the community."

Premier Keneally said the completion of the health centre forms part of the long term planning for the future of the Redfern Waterloo area - and is part of Redfern Waterloo's Human Services Plan.

The Human Services Plan sets out a framework for improving access to health and other essential human services for families, young people. Aboriginal people, older people, people with a disability, migrant communities and homeless people in the Redfern and Waterloo area.

The State Government commends Sydney South West Area Health Service (SSWAHS) for their work in this redevelopment to improve the integration of its mental health and drug health services for Redfern and Waterloo.

Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt, said the new facility will support important health services for the local community.

"The new service will provide community based nursing care and assistance, which helps patients access treatment at home and avoid tire in hospital," Ms Tebbutt said.

"Trained nursing staff will visit clients in their homes to assess their wounds, change dressings and provide assistance for those requiring intravenous medications.

"Registered nurses, social workers and psychologists will also provide support for locals living in the community who have mental health problems."

 Source: Premier of NSW Media Release 5 August 2010. www.premier.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/100805-Redfern-Health-Centre.pdf

[REDWatch note - The new Redfern Health Centre replaces the old Redfern Health Centre which was part of the Rachel Forster Hospital site prior to the sale of Rachel Forster redevelopment. The new Redfern Health Centre was funded with some of the proceeds of that sale .]