Peel Health Hub faces final hurdle in securing funding for front-end staff

Since August, the Mandurah Mail has reported on the issue after Hub staff said they were "under the pump" and worried young people would "fall through the cracks" if they did not employ more staff.

The Australian-first 'holistic' model, which opened in November 2018, has different health organisations operating from the Allnutt Street clinic in Mandurah, with a goal to offer clients a range of services under one roof.

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GP Down South representative Eleanor Britton said the centre was "a victim of its own success" and it was crucial the Hub hired two 'care coordinator' staff to assess walk ins.

Ms Britton said the Hub faced its final hurdle in securing funding, after representatives met with WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), which allocates federal funding to local nonprofits, on October 24.

"We have been advised by the WAPHA that funding has been approved for our proposal for care coordination at the Peel Health Hub pending our satisfactory response to further questions," she said.

"We have now formally responded to these questions and await the outcome.

"Hopefully we receive a positive outcome soon as I am sure that in the lead up to Christmas all providers at the Hub will experience increased pressures and demand on already stretched services."

In November 2018, WAPHA did not approve an application by the Hub to fund the care coordinator role in preparation for the facility becoming a reality.

WA Shadow Health Minister and Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup said care coordinators were "absolutely required" at the Hub.

"You have a situation where local, state and federal governments have put in all this money to make an amazing facility, where great service providers offer important outreach services," he said.

"But, the one thing that would mesh it all together and make it more efficient is a care coordinator.

"The impact is very obvious - if you can intervene at the Peel Health Hub, it will stop those people presenting at a hospital emergency department.

"I don't think it is hard to find $200,000, for a trial, in a health budget of $9.1 billion."

Mandurah MP David Templeman and Canning MP Andrew Hastie have acknowledged the care coordinator role was crucial for the Hub to operate as promised.

In state parliament, WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the funding should come from the federal government.

If your life is in danger call 000. For crisis support or suicide prevention call 13 11 14. To get in touch with the Peel Health Hub call 9583 5435.