By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
YARRA Ranges Council has unanimously passed a planning permit for the proposed Belgrave Health Hub.
At a council meeting on Tuesday 24 November, council heard from one objector to, and one supporter of, the plan before putting the permit to a vote.
Tecoma-based GP Dr Dennis Gration spoke against the proposed building and the plan to integrate health services in Belgrave into a single building.
Dr Gration said there was a lack of consultation with doctors in the area despite council’s Director of Social and Economic Development Ali Wastie saying otherwise.
“We wrote to GPs a few months ago to check back in with council if they had any issues with the hub.
“We didn’t have any response,” she said.
Dr Gration has said he and other health care providers in the area have been snubbed in the planning process for the Health Hub.
“They have pretended (no health care in The Hills) exists until they spend their $8 million,” he said.
“It’s quite disrespectful for people out there providing low or no-cost health services such as dieticians and diabetes educators.”
Dr Gration has raised concerns that the money spent on the new hub could be better used by improving community health services that were already available.
“It is a major problem to create a whole new facility when we don’t need it, instead of getting on with building the existing reality and building a fantasy,” he said.
“We work with whatever resources we have and there are so many complications already – council should be focused on breaking down barriers to health care and funding should be available for care in the local area.
“Reliable and community-based services are what people really need.”
Yarra Ranges Director Social and Economic Development Ali Wastie said the services available at the proposed Health Hub would work alongside those available in the community.
“The Belgrave Hub will provide services that complement those offered by GPs,” she said.
“While there is a good supply of GPs for residents in Belgrave and surrounding areas, there is also a high demand in the Belgrave area for allied health, family and children’s services and dental, as well as specialist services including social support for older people and people experiencing family violence.”
Ms Wastie also said there was consultation with existing health care providers and GPs in the area and both Yarra Ranges council and Inspiro had offered to meet with Dr Gration a number of times.
“A joint letter from Inspiro and from council was sent to GPs in the Belgrave and surrounding area seeking feedback on the proposed hub and to contact council if there were any concerns,” she said.
“No correspondence has been received about the hub from any other GP other than Dr Gration.
“Inspiro offered to meet with Dr Gration several times to discuss his concerns and these offers were not taken up.”
Yarra Ranges Council will go ahead with the building of the Belgrave Health Hub which will integrate allied health services, GPs and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service.
