Adelaide Unicare wins $7.5 million for health clinic

Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Adelaide Unicare has today been awarded $7.5 million to establish South Australia's first integrated multidisciplinary healthcare GP Super Clinic at Playford North, as part of the Federal Government's plan to revolutionise healthcare.

The University of Adelaide-owned general practice service will operate the one-stop, multidisciplinary, primary healthcare facility serving residents living in Adelaide's outer northern suburbs.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and Dr Garry Taylor, CEO of Adelaide Unicare, signed the agreement in Adelaide this morning.

Adelaide Unicare will design and construct the new facility and will work in collaboration with the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia to operate the healthcare centre from April 2011.

The group has extensive experience in the development and effective management of education-led healthcare facilities, with Adelaide Unicare currently managing four medical practices throughout South Australia.

Dr Taylor says the clinic will offer general practice and mental health services as well as allied health services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, exercise therapy, drug and alcohol counselling and nutritional advice.

The clinic will also provide teaching, training and research opportunities for medical, nursing, psychology and allied health students from both universities, with state-of-the-art teaching and IT facilities incorporated into the new complex.

Dr Taylor says the two universities will pool their expertise to provide the state's first integrated patient-centred multidisciplinary service, focused on the specific needs of the Playford North community.

"This Super Clinic will promote preventive and lifestyle programs, including weight loss, anti-smoking, home health assessments, women's health, sexual health, diabetes, asthma, ante-natal care and baby health checks.

"Close links with the local community, local health care providers and other organisations are an integral part of the clinic's strategy and we have consulted widely with many of these groups," Dr Taylor says.

"These consultations have led to a service model that includes mental health services, the management of patients with chronic diseases, early intervention services for children at risk, and health promotion. In addition a focus on Indigenous health will be incorporated into the model with the employment of Indigenous staff to direct this strategy.

"A large range of bulk-billing services will be offered, along with a fee-based service for certain allied health professionals and specialists."

Dr Taylor says the clinic will have a strong focus on education and training for undergraduate and postgraduate students from both the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia across a broad range of healthcare sectors.

The Super Clinic will be situated in the new Playford North Town Centre as part of the State Government's Playford Alive redevelopment program. Two other GP Super Clinics, at Modbury and Noarlunga, will also be established in South Australia over the next two years.

GP Super Clinics are a key part of the Federal Government's agenda for fixing Australia's health care system, with $275 million allocated over five years, from 2007 to 2011, to establish 31 clinics across Australia.

 

Contact Details

Dr Garry Taylor
Email: garry.taylor@adelaide.edu.au
CEO
Adelaide Unicare
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 3536
Mobile: 0401 697 697


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
External Relations
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 5414
Mobile: +61 (0)421 612 762