MORE BEDS, MORE STAFF TO HELP TACKLE ADDICTION
The Allan Labor Government is supporting people experiencing drug and alcohol addiction with the expansion of Arrow Health’s rehabilitation clinic in Woodend.
Minister for Health and Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, representing Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes, today visited the clinic which now has an additional eight beds and 55 staff for the care and treatment of patients.
Supported by a $600,000 investment, the $2.1 million expansion will allow Arrow Health to deliver more of its essential services to help people affected by addiction and their families.
The project featured the construction of a rehabilitation cottage, upgrades to carparking and ambulance access, and the refurbishment of existing rooms, more than doubling annual in-patient treatment capacity to approximately 240 and out-patient care from 80 to approximately 180 patients each year.
The expansion has led to new jobs for doctors, nurses, therapists and facilities-support staff, and has allowed Arrow Health to boost the engagement of locally contracted allied health professionals, such as nutritionists and physical therapists, and support services in food, transport and maintenance.
Our alcohol and drug treatment and support system helps around 40,000 substance-dependant Victorians annually.
Arrow Health Private Hospital was founded in 2014, after now-CEO Toby Lawrence’s experiences with addiction in his family. The hospital clinic provides in-house care and treatment for patients experiencing addiction, out-patient follow-up care and treatment, and support and counselling for families.
Support for Arrow Health’s expansion is part of the Labor Government’s work to attract new investment, create new jobs, and retain existing jobs, and our commitment to the health and wellbeing of regional communities.
This investment is part of a record $47 billion in government investment in just over a decade towards projects that are making regional cities and towns even better places to live, work, stay, invest and study.
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“We’re continuing to support the health and prosperity of regional Victorians, providing investments to organisations like Arrow Health that deliver such important services in local communities.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“The expansion of this clinic will make a real difference for those in my community struggling with drug and alcohol addiction – allowing them to seek the care they need, closer to home.”
Quote attributable to CEO Arrow Health Toby Lawrence
"The Victorian Government’s investment is an endorsement of our hard work transforming Arrow Health from a simple idea into a driving force behind addiction treatment — at the same time, it’s enabled us to tackle the complexities of addiction and mental health in a more sustainable manner.”
