IT will be business as usual for patients at a Kerang medical clinic after the centre’s owners passed the facility to its new management.
Fitzroy Street Medical Clinic owners, local practitioners Lindsay Sherriff, Dianne Sherriff and Graeme Wood, handed the business over to Northern District Community Health Service on Friday, ending a 20-plus year association with the facility.
The Sherriffs are presently voluntarily serving on a Mercy Ship off the coast of Africa, while Dr Wood will step back from a managerial role and focus on his work at the clinic and as a visiting medical officer at Kerang District Health.
Lindsay Sherriff said that he was pleased to entrust the NDCHS with the future of the medical practice, as the values and commitment to the local community were very much aligned to each other.
“The opportunity to fully integrate community health with the medical clinic brings an even greater capacity for well coordinated whole person health care,” he said.
“Good health begins in the home and with family, and can be reinforced in the hospital, schools, sporting clubs, churches, businesses and other community groups in our town.
“I think we are now, as co-joined primary health service providers, even better placed to support these institutions of our town and district as we all work together for a healthy and thriving community.”
The acquisition of the medical clinic will enable the development of an integrated service model for the patients, which is especially important for people with or at risk of chronic disease or illnesses.
“We are very pleased that the team of doctors, nurses and practice staff at Fitzroy Street Medical Clinic are staying on at the clinic so that for the patients the change of ownership will cause no impediment to their health care,” NDCHS chief executive officer, Greg Little said.
“NDCHS is very keen to work on options with Fitzroy Street Medical Clinic and our local hospitals for expanded services, better referral pathways, connected care plans and health assessments so that we can invest back into our community and provide health care equal to anywhere in rural Victoria.”
The health service’s board chair, Merril Kelly said the community health service was grateful for the confidence shown by the Sherriffs and Dr Wood, and thanked them very much for their trust and support in making the transition of the medical practice a reality.
“The Fitzroy Street Medical Clinic is respected for its service to the Kerang community. We believe that the patients attend the clinic in the belief that they will be looked after and receive excellent health care,” she said.
“This is the wonderful legacy left by Graeme, Lindsay and Dianne which NDCHS is committed to continuing.”
Fitzroy Street Medical Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.30pm. Appointments can be made by dropping in or phoning 5452 1366.
