Phone lines to the Lucindale Health Centre have been reconnected during times local nurses are rostered on duty.
From Reedy Creek, Keilira and Woolumbool to Spence, Callendale, Furner, Biscuit Flat, Greenways and everywhere in between – the Lucindale community can once again ring the local health centre they built themselves.
Taking pressure off Naracoorte’s health services, the Lucindale community can contact their centre to make appointments for flu vaccines, blood tests, blood pressure and glucose monitoring, wound dressings, and other general nursing appointments.
This follows an announcement last Wednesday by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) executive director of community and allied health, Karen Harris.
“Phone calls are once again being connected to Lucindale Community Nursing Service when staff are in attendance,” Ms Harris told The [Naracoorte Community] News via a printed statement.
“When busy, people wishing to make an appointment can leave a message, or call the triage service at Naracoorte for faster assistance.”
A spokesperson for Health Minister Chris Picton said he was supportive of the LCLHN statement.
Independent member for MacKillop Nick McBride said he was extremely pleased to see that the phone line at Lucindale was reinstated.
“This simple step will go a long way in making locals feel as though they can access nursing staff at the community health building in a timely manner,” Mr McBride said.
“However, there is still more to be done. Community nursing services at Lucindale need to be reinstated to at least the same level as before.
“The doctor shortage is not going away. We need experienced nurses offering services in rural communities that will take the pressure off GP clinics.
“We also need to make it easier for those who can’t travel long distances to access community health.
“Health services in my region are a priority and I will continue to put pressure on the Government and Local Health Networks to ensure we retain and grow services – not lose them.”
Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Patrick Ross specifically thanked LCLHN CEO Emma Poland for ensuring the phone lines connecting the health centre with the community were reconnected once again.
“I absolutely thank Emma Poland. It’s fantastic, and we can look forward to ongoing improvement in services that are offered at Lucindale.”
Mr Ross said he had asked Ms Poland how she was going to communicate with the community that phone services had been returned.
But at the deadline for print he had not received a reply.
A lone chalkboard on the footpath outside Lucindale’s Post Office in the main street urges the community to help keep the health centre open by ringing to book for flu injections and other health needs.
Post Office co-owner Geoff Robinson praised the LCLHN for reconnecting the phone lines.
He explained the chalk board was to advise the community they could ring the centre once again and help to keep it open.
“We just felt as a community business we should get the message out there that they can ring our local health centre,” Mr Robinson said.
“It is nice to have the phone back on. I personally rang (last week) to make an appointment, and it worked.
“It is only on when staff are there, so it worked last Monday and Wednesday when they rostered staff on.
“It is nice to ring and get our own local Country Health Connect.
“It’s one step forward. I hope it is a genuine step forward, and I hope it lasts and the phone lines stay connected.”
Both Ms Poland and LCLHN CEO Grant King were guest speakers at the Limestone Coast Local Government Association meeting in Robe last Friday.
But during their presentations, they did not mention their good news that phone services were reconnected at the Lucindale Health Centre.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
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