Council, Cupper call for Mildura coronavirus pop-up centre

MILDURA Rural City Council and Member for Mildura Ali Cupper are calling on the Federal Government to fund a pop-up coronavirus clinic.

“I have written to the Prime Minister advocating for our region to be considered for a COVID-19 pop-up clinic,” Mayor Simon Clemence said.

Ms Cupper said having a pop-up clinic in Mildura would not only benefit the community but also those from New South Wales and South Australia.

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She said many people from low socio-economic backgrounds found it difficult to access health care at the best of times and a pop-up clinic would help significantly.

Cr Clemence said council was willing and ready to support the health and wellbeing of its community by working with its federal and state colleagues to get a clinic.

Meanwhile, Ms Cupper is also investigating why the Mildura Base Hospital is one of the few Victorian hospitals to not have an assessment centre.

So far 25 Victorian hospitals have been listed on the Department of Health and Human Services website as having assessment centres for people who believe they have coronavirus.

Regional hospitals such as Echuca Hospital, Swan Hill District Health and Goulburn Valley Health are on the list.

The department’s website states that patients with symptoms compatible to coronavirus can present at these assessment centres.

Attending one of these clinics also means you do not have to call ahead to access treatment.

Ms Cupper said she would be contacting the Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos to request an assessment centre is established in Mildura.

“We will be asking why Mildura appears to be one of the only, if not the only, regional centres that has not received this funding,” she said.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services was approached for comment but did not respond by deadline.

Sunraysia residents should phone their doctor or Victoria’s dedicated hotline – 1800 675 398 – if they need medical attention.