GP Super Clinic opens in Adelaide's north

Health Sciences

Residents north of Adelaide will have access to more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, thanks to a new $7.5 million Playford North Super Clinic built by Adelaide Unicare.

The University of Adelaide-owned general practice service was officially opened last month by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.

Professor Justin Beilby, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said the University was pleased to partner with the South Australian Government to deliver the new clinic.

"This is a much-needed facility for the northern suburbs community," Professor Beilby said.

"Bringing GP and allied health services together in this way will greatly improve the level of care and support available to those living in and around Playford, including the new housing development areas.

"Linking the University's broad-ranging health science teaching programs with day-to-day clinical services will ensure that the next generation of health professionals will benefit from valuable, relevant experience.

"It's a great outcome for our students, our doctors and most importantly, the local community," he said.

Minister Roxon and local Federal Member for Wakefield Nick Champion declared last month's opening of the Playford North GP Super Clinic a win for the local community.

"This GP Super Clinic will deliver more doctors, more nurses, more allied health professionals and better access to health services for locals," Minister Roxon said.

"GP Super Clinics are making a difference right around the country and today marks the 11th GP Super Clinic official opening with 31 now either open, providing early services or under construction.

"The Gillard Government wants to make it easier for all Australians to see and contact a doctor and GP Super Clinics around the country are making this happen."

Mr Champion said the new GP Super Clinic would provide better health care for families living in the 'Playford Alive' urban renewal area through early services.

"The Playford North GP Super Clinic will provide a new level of integrated, multidisciplinary, team-based, patient-centred healthcare all under one roof," Mr Champion said.

"Patients will have access to a comprehensive range of health services including mental health, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical medication reviews, diabetic services, exercise therapy, healthcare plans and assessments, wellness clinics, radiology, pathology and Royal District Nursing Services. These will expand to provide podiatry and programs that cater for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples into the future.

"The clinic will have a role in training the future health workforce as it will focus on training and education for undergraduate and postgraduate students from both the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia across a range of health disciplines including medicine, nursing, psychology and allied health," he said.

The clinic is currently bulk billing for a variety of services and is operating from 8.00am-6.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am-1.00pm Saturday mornings, with an opportunity to expand.

The Federal Government has also provided Adelaide Unicare with up to $4.6 million to construct a new two-storey dedicated teaching and training facility next to the Playford North GP Super Clinic.

Adelaide Unicare is a controlled entity of the University of Adelaide. With the new Playford North GP Super Clinic, it now manages seven general practices in urban and rural South Australia.