The new South Tuggeranong Health Centre will provide residents with access to a range of free public health services including paediatrics, pathology, dementia care and chronic disease programs.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the clinical services and design of the South Tuggeranong Health Centre had been guided by feedback from clinicians, consumers and the local community through consultation carried out in late 2023.
"We heard clearly throughout the consultation that residents wanted easier access to preventative health services and treatment for chronic disease. The new centre will offer a range of community-based services that reflect the changing health needs of the Tuggeranong community," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The services available at the new health centre will include:
- paediatrics
- pathology collection
- diabetes clinics
- falls and falls injury prevention
- dementia care
- chronic disease programs
- community nursing
- a virtual care interview room.
"The South Tuggeranong Health Centre is another example of this Government's commitment to delivering more community-based health services across the ACT, to provide Canberrans with improved access to health services closer to their homes," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The South Tuggeranong Health Centre, located in Conder, is one of five new health centres being delivered across the ACT. Centres will be located in the Inner South, North Gungahlin and West Belconnen. The health centre in Molonglo opened in 2022 to provide women's and family health care to the region.
"These centres provide integrated multi-disciplinary care with a focus on preventive care and advice, early intervention, and the management of chronic illness. They will complement Canberra's existing network of nurse-led Walk-in Centres and community health centres," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The ACT Government invested $16.6 million in the 2023-24 ACT Budget to design and construct the South Tuggeranong Health Centre and to progress site planning and preliminary design for North Gungahlin and the Inner South.
"The ACT Government will continue to invest in health services and infrastructure across the ACT to provide Canberrans with access to the right healthcare, at the right time and in the right place," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
"This includes more investment in our health workforce, including recruiting and upskilling our teams and committing to nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios."
The ACT Government will soon consult with Inner South and North Gungahlin residents about the services and design of the new health centres coming to those areas.
A development application for the South Tuggeranong Health Centre will be submitted and a head contractor engaged for construction in the coming months, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.
