RELEASED: March 24, 2022
Lismore’s new Primary Health Precinct at Southern Cross University has opened, and Social Futures has relocated two of its programs there, just three weeks after Lismore was hit by flooding.
Social Futures will deliver headspace Lismore, the youth mental health service, from the new Southern Cross University Health Clinic precinct. Face-to-face headspace appointments will be available from the new premise by appointment.
Lismore headspace manager Simone Balzer said Social Futures had worked hard to find a space where young people could come.
“We do know young people prefer to meet face to face and we are very grateful to have a new space,” Ms Balzer said.
“Many of the young people we are seeing have a mix of sadness, anger, not really knowing what to do so young people are wanting that support from us.”
Ms Balzer stressed that there is no ‘right’ way to react to a catastrophe and any young person looking for support should not hesitate to get in contact with headspace Lismore on (02) 6625 0200.
It is also possible to book a face-to-face headspace appointments in Casino, Kyogle, Ballina and on the Tweed. headspace also offers young people phone, tele and online counselling.
Healthy North Coast has coordinated the new SCU space in order to provide Lismore residents with access to vital primary health services.
Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Office Julie Sturgess said she was delighted to see the new precinct established and operational so soon after the flood emergency.
“It is a real testament to the spirit of collaboration across the Northern Rivers that we have been able to rapidly coordinate alternative clinic spaces for primary health providers that would otherwise be displaced,” Ms Sturgess said.
Funded by the Australian Government through the PHN Program as part of the Northern NSW flood recovery efforts, the new precinct has the capacity to house more than 20 primary health services.
Healthy North Coast is also launching a new online directory of primary care services onsite so that community members can find out more and make appointments. To view the directory, visit https://hnc.org.au/lismore-primary-health-precinct.
Social Futures sexual health clinic Choices will also begin offering face-to-face appointments at the end of March at SCU.
Appointments can be booked online via the Choices online booking portal or by calling (02) 6620 7660.
PHOTO: The Hon Kevin Hogan MP, Federal Member for Page; Tony Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Social Futures; Professor Julie Jomeen, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University; Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Officer, Julie Sturgess; Chelsea Luker, Psychologist, Connect Us Psychology; Kyle Wood, Pharmacist and Managing Partner, Southside ChemPro; at the launch of the Lismore Primary Health Precinct established by Healthy North Coast at Southern Cross University Health Clinic.