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A focus on patients

Although traditionally stereotyped as ā€˜moccasin-wearers’, the people of Melbourne’s western suburbs can claim a unique distinction. In 1980 a group of residents in this low-income area took the initiative to develop their own community-controlled medical service. That initial one-GP service was underwritten by the social services department of Victoria’s Baptist Union Church. After six years it could operate independently, and Westgate Health became the first registered community advancement co-operative of its kind in Australia.

Starting with that first small clinic in South Kingsville, the co-operative expanded by acquiring a second just a few kilometres away in Newport. They currently employ 11 doctors (some of them working part-time), as well as dentists. Additional services are provided through a physiotherapist, acupuncturist, two psychologists – one specialising in child psychology – a diabetic educator and an audiologist.

For this comprehensive and affordable service, the co-operative’s 5500 members pay a one-off joining fee of $30 per family, then an annual fee of up to $50 per person or $90 per family, with significant discounts for beneficiaries.

Those modest fees (which even provide for a free annual dental check-up) enable Westgate Health to run with no state or federal funding. At timesĀ  Westgate has supplied other services more usually regarded as community development, such as free transport, counselling and a ā€˜casserole bank’ for patients, particularly mothers.

Peter Cash began working as Westgate’s part-time accountant several years ago, eventually joining its board and serving as chair.Ā ā€œYou do get the impression of a general atmosphere of community involvement that permeates the whole establishment. Our doctors certainly find there’s a difference to private practice. They’re able to focus on patients rather than the bottom line.ā€

Some of those patients are referred from as far away as Footscray, says Peter, if they have special needs that Westgate is best placed to provide. This may mean using a translator to communicate with them in minority languages such as, recently, a dialect of Burmese. ā€œWe’re now looking at opening a third clinic in Laverton, an area of real need with poor public transport and inadequate social housing.ā€

It’s not always straightforward working as a community-owned and -run service, and Westgate has encountered difficulties in involving its broad and multilingual membership. ā€œWe’re updating our database and developing a PR front to encourage people to come forward,ā€ says Peter. ā€œIt’s a defect we recognise.ā€

As the first medical service of its kind in the country, Westgate Health was crucial to the subsequent formation of Canberra’s West Belconnen Health Co-operativeand remains willing to support other communities looking to follow its example. As its website states, ā€œThe philosophy of Westgate Health is based on the principles of co-operation: co-operation between patients and health professionals in caring for the health needs of the community, and co-operation between staff, management and co-op members in the governance and support of the organisationā€.

This case study was first published in the International Year of Co-operatives Australia 2012 book – Building a Better Australia: 50+ stories of co-operation.

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