03 September 2015
A new medical clinic officially opens at UniSA’s City East campus today, providing health and medical services to the University’s diverse student population, staff and the general public.
The UniSA Health Medical Clinic is part of the Southern Fleurieu Family Practice which has provided comprehensive medical services to the Fleurieu Peninsula for many years and has become one of Australia’s leading rural medical centres.
UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor: Health Sciences, Professor Robert Vink, says the University is delighted to deliver a primary health care service to the UniSA community.
“After some hard work behind the scenes, we’re excited to be officially opening the UniSA Health Medical Clinic to provide an accessible, integrated and high quality service for students and staff at no or little cost,” Prof Vink says.
“For our 33,000-strong student population, this clinic will provide the personal and preventative care necessary for individual health and well-being during academic study.
“It will be especially valuable for our 5000-strong international student population, who may find navigating medical services in a new country that little bit harder, so knowing they can see a doctor on campus will be a great support to them.
“Similarly for rural students who move to the city for their studies, instead of having to find a new family doctor, they will have access to general practitioners experienced in rural practice right here on campus.
“We’re also proud that the clinic’s fully integrated primary health care service is open to the general public, complementing UniSA’s Community Clinics which offer a range of allied health, psychology and legal services to the local community.”
Southern Fleurieu Family Practice general manager Garry Madigan says apart from managing traditional and acute presentations, the clinic has introduced a number of key proactive programs to minimise the impact health problems can have on academic study and work.
Specific programs include:
- Student and staff health assessments – comprehensive health assessments to identify and manage health risks.
- Sexual health management – private individual counselling to promote sexual health management and contraception.
- Travel medicine – full immunisation service including one of the few clinics to be accredited for yellow fever.
- Skin cancer clinics – doctors with specialised qualifications in dermoscopy can undertake skin spot checks and remove moles and small lesions where necessary.
- Mental health programs – supported by the clinic’s own clinical psychologist.
- Chronic condition management – including diabetes, respiratory conditions, chronic pain, polycystic ovarian syndrome, heart disease and osteoporosis.
- Pathology services – provided on site to minimise patient disruption and enhance overall clinic services.
Mr Madigan says the clinic brings significant experience in providing on campus services through its lead practitioner, Dr Brenton Martin, who has previous university medical clinic experience while working at Unicare.
“Dr Martin has many years’ experience in both rural and metropolitan practice and has extensive experience in training medical students, midwives and GP registrars,” Mr Madigan says.
“We also have on board Dr Charles Christie, who has 14 years’ experience as a rural GP and specialises in skin cancer medicine and mental health, and Dr Joanne Chew, who specialises in women’s health, sexual health and mental health.”
The UniSA Health Medical Clinic is located on Level 2 of the Centenary building at City East campus.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Medical Clinic website.
Media Contact: Kelly Stone office 83020963 mobile 0417 861 832 email kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au
