With a strong focus on keeping people healthy and supporting older people to age well, Omeo District Health’s Community Health Centre is a hub of the community.
“Five days a week, our centre supports people from right across our district with everything from general consults to wound management to physiotherapy to vaccinations,” Mary Manescu, chief executive of Omeo District Health, said.
“We have a very strong focus on preventative medicine, with a core aim to help the people of Omeo and surrounds to maintain good health for as long as possible.
“We are fortunate to have highly-skilled general practitioner Dr Charles Luiz working with us across the week and, for those people with a preference for a female practitioner, Dr Mariam Cranswick visits our centre, taking in-person appointments one day each month.”
With more than 30 years of experience, Dr Cranswick has a keen interest in women’s health as well as significant experience in management of older people with complex medical problems.
“There are many reasons women, in particular, feel more comfortable with a female doctor and we know they can be difficult to find, particularly in rural areas,” Mary said.
“And so we are fortunate to have the services of Dr Cranswick at Omeo District Health, augmenting our general practice services, joining Dr Luiz and the broader team in providing better health outcomes for our rural community.”
Dr Cranswick, who has a Diploma in Women’s Health from the University of Melbourne, initially practised in women’s health, before moving into broader general practice.
Appointments for general consultations, vaccinations, screening or referrals with Dr Cranswick or Dr Luiz, or for physiotherapy or for the management of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or asthma can be made by calling the Omeo District Health or online via HotDoc.
HISTORY
For close to 140 years, Omeo District Health (ODH) has cared for people from right across the community and for the thousands who visit the region every year.
The region is remote. ODH provides care to more than 1500 people across an area of nearly 6000 square kilometres from Omeo to Benambra, from Ensay to Dinner Plain and from Anglers Rest to Swifts Creek.
“Our focus is on helping people to age well, stay well and connect early and easily to care,” Mary said.
“We do this by providing in-person and online appointments with female and male practitioners at our community health centre, through the care and support we provide to residents at our aged care facility, Lewington House, by delivering care in urgent situations, and through a broad range of allied health and home care services, as we work toward our vision of delivering better outcomes for our rural community.”
