By Bridget Cook
Right: Debbie Williams, board member Southern Health, Marcel Favilla, head of Ophthalmology unit, Minister for Health David Davis, Kerry Breckon, day nurse unit manager, Shelly Park, Southern Health chief executive and Charles Gillies, board member Southern Health, cut a cake to celebrate the 10th birthday of the Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre’s Day Surgery Unit. 69406Pictures: Stewart Chambers
CRANBOURNE Integrated Care Centre’s day surgery unit celebrated 10 years of service to the local community this week.
The unit was first opened in 2001 with two ophthalmologists operating two sessions per week, each comprising three cataract cases.
From 2009 to 2010, the unit treated 2429 ophthalmology, 320 gynaecology and 137 general surgery cases.
The unit, led by Associate Professor Ian Favilla, has been at the forefront in providing state-of-the-art and efficient eye surgery for the people of the south east and had a major impact on waiting list for cataract surgery in the area and throughout Victoria.
The centre also provides other healthcare services like mental health, primary care services, general surgery and gynaecological surgery.
Minister for Health David Davis visited the unit on Tuesday as part of the 10th birthday celebrations.
Mr Davis said the Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre has become a vital part of a rapidly growing community.
“The centre plays an important role in improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the Cranbourne and Pakenham local communities,” Mr Davis said. Mr Davis said the Cranbourne Centre was important in the context of the Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012-2022 that was released in May this year.
A key aim of the framework is to build a health system over the coming decade in which care is both clinically effective and cost-effective, and is delivered in the most effective service settings. Mr Davis said the Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre was an outstanding example of the services needed to enable this priority to be met.
