Making it easier for disadvantaged families to access Peninsula Health services

Image: Staff from the Counselling Team, Children’s Services Team and ACCESS Team at Peninsula Health’s Health Hub at Aldercourt Primary School.

For families living with a socio-economic disadvantage, Peninsula Health’s new Health Hub is set to provide easier access to health and community support services across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.

Based at Aldercourt Primary School in Frankston North, the Health Hub will work with families and children to provide the best start possible. The Children’s Team provide onsite Speech Pathology and onsite Occupational Therapy. A counselling service is also available one day a week at the Health Hub, seeing people from across the age range, including primary aged children.

The ACCESS Team are also represented onsite every weekday. Being a first point of contact for enquiries and referrals, the onsite team can help local community members more easily navigate the 50 plus services that are available across multiple Peninsula Health locations.

“We are here to make it more of a simple and straight forward system to access our services,” says Andrew Liyanawaduge, Program Manager – ACCESS & Support Services.

Four intake workers will assist in providing access to a range of services including speech pathology, dietetics support, occupational therapy, Aboriginal support services, chronic disease services and more. Most can be self-referred, however there are some that require referral from a doctor.

After two years, the Health Hub officially launched on 1 March 2023, joined by Peninsula Health staff members and local supporting partners who are excited for what the future holds for the service and the people it will support.

“I am very proud and passionate about my team,” says Andrew. “I have never seen a group of members who are so caring, understanding and passionate about what they do. They are here because they want to help.”

Those seeking access to the Health Hub, or other Peninsula Health Community Health services can visit the staff onsite at Aldercourt Primary School, or contact ACCESS directly on 1300 665 781.

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