General News
18 January, 2024
Priority Primary Care Centre now seven days a week
The Priority Primary Care Centre – Bendigo – now operates seven days a week after successfully recruiting a large number of GPs and nurses. Since opening in June last year, the PPCC has fast become a vital part of the city’s healthcare...
The Priority Primary Care Centre – Bendigo – now operates seven days a week after successfully recruiting a large number of GPs and nurses.
Since opening in June last year, the PPCC has fast become a vital part of the city’s healthcare landscape and is set to mark treating its 4000th patient in the coming days.
This milestone is a significant achievement for the PPCC, especially considering the recent extension of operating hours and its pivotal role during this holiday season.
Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the PPCC successfully treated 144 patients, demonstrating its vital role in the community and reducing the burden on emergency services and local hospital emergency departments.
Funded by the State Government and run in partnership with Bendigo Health, Murray Primary Health Network, and Ambulance Victoria, the centre is co-located and supported by Bendigo Primary Care Centre.
Bendigo Primary Care Centre General Manager Callum Wright said the extended hours reflected the centre’s commitment to and the State Government’s investment in the health and wellbeing of Bendigo residents.
New extended hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
“We know it can be hard to see a GP urgently, especially during the holiday season. The PPCC provides urgent treatment when you can't get in to see your GP, but you don’t need to go to the hospital's emergency department,” he said.
“We’re working closely with Bendigo Health’s emergency department team to provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.”
Bendigo Health's Emergency Department Nurse Unit Manager Jennifer Oxley said the collaboration with Bendigo’s PPCC was invaluable.
“The PPCC helps to keep the hospital Emergency Department free for emergency or life-threatening situations,” she said.
A leading clinician with the Bendigo PPCC, Dr Dan Peck, said the centre regularly triaged and treated a wide range of ailments and injuries, from mild infections, sprains, and minor burns to fractures.
“Lacerations, soft tissue injuries, coughs, upper respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections were the top five of daily presentations,” Dr Peck said.
“Our centre is designed to bridge the healthcare gap, swiftly addressing conditions that require prompt attention that day but aren’t emergencies,” he said.
Patients can walk into the service or call ahead on 5445 5690.
People with chronic, long-standing health conditions or those seeking repeat prescriptions still need to see their regular GP.