Tim Pallas MP has welcomed the start of work to expand the
Wyndham Clinic, set to provide new beds for mental health and addiction
treatment clients in Wyndham.

Mr Pallas said there were growing concerns for
residents of Wyndham, and Victoria more broadly, about the availability of these
specialised health services.

He will join the Director of the Wyndham Clinic, Scott
Vickers-Willis at the sod-turning ceremony on Friday.

Mr Pallas said that an increasing number of cases seen
at Werribee Mercy Hospital are drug or alcohol related.

The expanded Wyndham Clinic will also have a focus on youth
mental health services, building on the good work of the previous Federal Labor
Government that delivered the Headspace treatment centre in Werribee.

The Wyndham Clinic already provides a number of
specialised health services for Werribee residents and has committed to
expanding and improving those services.

Mr Pallas said that Labor was committed to dealing with
the issues of mental health and addiction treatment, as they disproportionately
affected outer-suburban areas like Werribee. Mr Pallas said that it was
important that there was increased investment and cooperation between the
private and Government healthcare providers.

Quotes
attributable to Mr Pallas:

“Mental
health and addiction treatment issues are increasingly important challenges that
affect the entire community. It is vital that these health issues are dealt
with appropriately and preferably close to home.”

“Private
investment in health services for Wyndham is crucial. They take stress away
from public services and offer an alternative treatment point.”

“Drug
and alcohol problems have been responsible for a disturbing number of ambulance
call outs in recent years. Ice in particular is of enormous concern.”