CRESWICK residents will have better access to high quality medical care following today's official opening of the expanded Creswick Medical Centre.
Ballarat MP Catherine King officially opened the facility this afternoon following a $547,000 upgrade.
The upgrade has added five new consulting rooms, two treatment rooms, two waiting rooms, a reception and administration area and amenity rooms to improve the comfort of staff and patients.
Ms King, Parliamentary Secretary for Health in the Gillard Government, said patients would be able to see a doctor or nurse sooner and the Creswick community would be better placed to attract more health care professionals, reducing the need for travel to Ballarat.
"I'm pleased that Creswick Medical Services has been able to employ an additional doctor as well as two GP registrars and three junior doctors," Ms King said.
"This will have an immediate impact, with local people now able to see a health professional much sooner than they would have in the past."
Chronic disease management will also be a focus for the centre, which is currently seeking to recruit more practice nurses to help with health assessments.
Later today, Ms King will visit a community aged care service in Creswick, to highlight their efforts to support people with a disability to live more independently in their own homes.
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