Integrated Health Centre Opens for Community
A $10 million integrated health centre that offers 18 health and medical services under the one roof has opened its doors to the people of greater Newcastle.
The ATUNE Health Centre is believed to be the first of its kind in Australia’s private health sector. Located in the former Cardiff Squash Courts, the 1970s building has undergone a complete transformation and is now a light, spacious and modern centre with 30 consultation rooms.
The development has been ten 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 about establishing 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. Within a couple of years, I had met and involved a number of other health and medical professionals who also believed in the advantages for the community,” he said.
Construction began in August last year. The completed facility, located on the corner of Ada Streets and Macquarie Road at Cardiff South includes 3,450 square metres of floor space across two and a half floors with accessibility lift and infrastructure and an auditorium for up to 100 people. Eight squash courts and squash club facilities have been retained as well as a Pilates and Yoga Studio that has been refurbished. A 25-metre indoor hydro pool that will be renovated along with a sauna and spa facility for rehabilitation regimes completes the impressive facility.
ATUNE services include – General Practitioners (Medical doctors), Medical Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, Psychology, Soft Tissue Therapy, Podiatry, Functional Breathing Therapy, Naturopathy, Speech Pathology, Exercise Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Dentistry, Pathology and Nursing support. Its specialist services include Integrated Oncology Care, Integrated Maternity Carme, High-Performance Sports Unit, Integrated Sleep Centre and Mobile Services.
“ATUNE has been carefully designed to meet community needs while also becoming a community asset for Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter region,” said Simon.
“It has undoubtedly been, and continues to be, challenging during Covid19, 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.”
ATUNE is 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 and architect Cassie Stronach.
ATUNE Health Centres is a multi-award-winning business created in Lake Macquarie by Simon Ashley in 2006. ATUNE assists more than 25,000 people annually and employs more than 100 people at its purpose-built integrated health centre in Cardiff South.
