General News
13 May, 2021
Andy Meddick vows to push for TMHS
MEMBER for Western Victoria Andy Meddick has vowed to push for the redevelopment of the Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) facilities in Mortlake at the next Victorian State budget.
MEMBER for Western Victoria Andy Meddick has vowed to push for the redevelopment of the Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) facilities in Mortlake at the next Victorian State budget.
The Animal Justice Party member visited the region on Monday to learn more about the projects which have been prioritised as part of Moyne Shire’s advocacy program.
Moyne Shire’s Advocacy Priorities 2021-2022 was launched in March this year, with the $6.665 million redevelopment of the TMHS campus in Mortlake listed among seven priority projects.
Mr Meddick joined Moyne Shire chief executive officer Bill Millard for a visit to the Mortlake TMHS campus to discuss the redevelopment plans.
Mr Meddick said he would push for the redevelopment to receive funding as health services in regional Victoria were the “lifeblood of a community”.
“Members of the community rely on so many services, so there is a government responsibility to make sure those services are delivered in the best possible way – and that means having purpose built facilities that are modern and able to deliver those services,”he said.
“This community and service has been doing an outstanding job, but the reality is the buildings are ageing and they need replacing. And they should be replaced.
“All regional communities have the same right as any city does to have up-to-the-minute health facilities delivered to them. That’s what their taxes are paying for.
“This is clearly a shovel ready project, it’s ready to go, and I see no reason for the State Government to be holding back or waiting.”
Mr Meddick said he was “hopeful” the redevelopment would receive funding in either the upcoming State budget, or the following.
“This community deserves better, so I’m going in to bat for it,” he said.
After having the opportunity to go over the proposed redevelopment master plan, Mr Meddick said he felt the plan was “extraordinary”.
“It is outstanding, not only from an aesthetically pleasing point for the eye but there is clearly a lot of thought which has gone in to what is needed here because regional communities are also in a state of flux,”he said.
“The services they need to offer can ebb and flow, and there certainly appears to be a capacity in what they have designed here to cater to that and provide a holistic, whole health service to the community no matter what state it is in.”
Mr Meddick said seeing the growth of Koroit and Port Fairy only further necessitated the redevelopment of the campus.
“The surrounding towns will need to access facilities like this if they have needs or an extra patient,” he said.
“They will be able to get the same type of health services that are on offer in any major hospital in the city – and they have an absolute right to expect that and to have that delivered.”
TMHS director of community health Jane Bourman said the redevelopment plans would ensure the best quality of care for the community.
“We’re aiming for a complete rebuild of the service to reorientate the access of the building but also modernise all the facilities for contemporary models of care from a 1956 hospital to a contemporary-designed community centre which incorporates group therapy as well as individual consultations,” she said.
“We will also partner with the medical centre so the doctors will be on-site - all the allied health team, maternal and child health nurses, district nursing and social support.”
Ms Bourman said the outdated facilities had reached a point where renovations were no longer viable and a complete redevelopment was a must.
“We’re right at the end of what we can modify in the building within the standards, particularly around asbestos,” she said.
“We can’t modify what we’ve got so it really is a complete rebuild that we’re looking at.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to have Mr Meddick join us and say he is willing to advocate for the redevelopment.
“It’s always wonderful to have the support of Victorian upper house MPs, so we’re very happy to see that he was keen to support our project.”
Board member Carolyn Warneminde said it was important for the redevelopment togo ahead.
“We need to meet the needs of the current way people are cared for as they age, and just in general community terms,” she said.
“A lot more people could be cared for in the community rather than having to go to a major medical centre with the nearest one being Warrnambool, or even Terang, with limited facilities.
“If this becomes a purpose-built facility for the community, it would be fantastic forthe area.”
To learn more about the TMHS redevelopment plan visit www.moyne.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Advocacy/Terang-Mortlake-Health-Service.
