The new Kingston Health Centre was officially opened on Wednesday, May 8, by the Premier, Will Hodgman and Health Minister, Michael Ferguson.
After a plaque was unveiled, the Premier and Minister toured the fit for purpose, modern and contemporary facility.
Providing vital care closer to home for thousands of Kingborough residents the government said it will take pressure off the hospitals, especially easing demands on the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The State Government has committed to increase in-community care in areas like the high-growth Kingborough and Huon municipalities, where there are high rates of chronic conditions, emergency department presentations and hospital admissions.
Mr Ferguson said, “We have recognised that the former Kingston health centre was well past its use by date , but we didn’t just want to replace it, we wanted to make sure that we designed a replacement facility that provides more, and better range of services, but also allowing for that future growth to occur.”
The new centre cost $6.5 million to construct, delivering services including, community nursing, physiotherapy, oral health, child health and parenting services, social work and podiatry.
There are also a range of visiting services, including speech pathology, wound care, continence and ante-natal care, with up to 25 staff providing care at the centre each day.
Since opening in March, the centre has seen 600 people.
Built on the former Kingston High School site, the new energy-efficient centre’s modern design allows for expansion as the local community continues to grow.
It already has additional capacity to increase some existing services, such as oral health, as well as accommodate some new services like Pathology South.