By Mitchell Clarke
The historic Berwick Medical Centre will shut its doors at the end of February after servicing the community for over 120 years.
The site at 17 Clyde Road was recently sold to a commercial developer after the practice was no longer able to continue providing the traditional care it’s become synonymous with.
“Unfortunately this is no longer sustainable with the evolving new paradigms, culture and requirements of bureaucracy and as the community has transitioned from being rural to metropolitan,” Dr. Wesley Jame explained.
The practice has been in continual operation for well over a century, first located on Langmore Lane in Berwick before current practice principal Dr. Jame relocated the practice to its current site in 1990.
It was relocated to improve accessibility and to host a purpose built premise for a computer network with on-site backup generator power.
The practice has been computerised since 1988 and was one of the first practices in the state to computerise medical records and prescription writing.
It was also the first in Victoria to electronically download pathology and radiology results.
In its time, the centre has treated three generations of families and in some cases, up to five generations.
The current doctors will disperse to local clinics however co-owner Dr. Dean will retire while Dr. Jame is set to substantially reduce his consulting hours at another local practice.
Dr. Jame said he was “saddened” to be closing a practice which had been at the forefront in the town’s medical history – both as a practice and as a driving force in bringing the St John of God and Casey Hospital developments to fruition.
He recalled an early conversation with previous partner Dr. Noel Stephenson who said that when you drive around Berwick, a “multidimensional vista will be with you”.
“Of people and places, of the past overlaid on the present, of memories, sad, happy and poignant and you will know that you are part of the community,” Dr. Jame recalled.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to provide individualised care for much of many patients’ lives.
“It’s a remarkable privilege to be accepted as a friend of the family circle and have a role in the significant events of many families.”
He hopes that as the town of Berwick progresses, the era of Berwick Medical Centre and its doctors will be remembered with respect and affection.
Friday 28 February will be the last day of consulting but the practice will open to the public on Saturday 29 February from 9am to 12pm for a final nostalgic look at the centre.
