A $10 million integrated health centre that offers 18 health and medical services has opened its doors to the public.
The ATUNE Health Centre is located in the former Cardiff Squash Courts and has seen a complete transformation of the 1970s building to a light, spacious, and modern centre with 30 consultation rooms.
The development has been 10 years in planning and will now accommodate more than 100 health and medical professionals working across a health model that provides the community with a convenient, integrated and holistic approach to health care.
ATUNE Health Centres CEO, Simon Ashley, came up with the concept of an integrated health centre when he was at university and experienced an acute medical condition.
His experience in an integrated public health model for emergency medical attention gave him the idea to establish a centre that would better meet the day to day community health needs.
“ATUNE is really about a dream coming true. About 14 years ago I established an osteopathy room in my home at Eleebana and within a couple of years, I had met and involved a number of other health and medical professionals who also believed in the advantages of integrated health for the community,” he said.
During a tour of the Centre, Hunter Business Chamber’s CEO, Bob Hawes, was amazed by the transformation the building had in the last twelve months.
“I’m always delighted to see a new operational enterprise open within our region, but I have been particularly excited about the opening of the new ATUNE facility because of its unique approach to integrated health within our community,” Bob said.
ATUNE includes a range of services and offerings, which includes, but is not limited to general practitioners, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, integrated sleep centres, oncology care, mobile services, naturopathy and so much more.
“ATUNE has been carefully designed to meet community needs while also becoming a community asset for Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter region,” Simon said.
“It has certainly been and continues to be challenging during COVID-19 and drought breaking rain events, but we are very proud to open what we understand is an Australian first. We could not have succeeded if it were not for a group of local suppliers and our staff.”
“The decision to locate the centre within Lake Macquarie was strategic and designed to complement the city’s evolving objectives to diversify the economy, connect communities and contribute to lifestyle and wellbeing options.
“This approach is supported by our ongoing commitment at ATUNE to realise the successful integration of traditional health and therapeutic services with spaces that encourage and promote healthier living options,” Simon said.
ATUNE was privileged and honoured to work with several local organisations throughout the planning and construction phases of the project.
Some of these include ADW Johnson, North Construction, CVG Finance, Purser Corporate Communication and interior designer Cassie Stronach and architect Ian Easton.
IMAGE | Adam Shearer, Matt Hayes, Simon Ashley, Bob Hawes, Ian Easton, and Jamie Bennett (left-right).
