ON the back of commencing full-time operations in Swan Hill this year, Mildura Health Fund has opened its new office.
Mildura Health Fund first introduced a local service in 2017, operating one day per week out of Kents Priceline Pharmacy.
Twelve months later, the organisation increased its Swan Hill service to twice weekly, relocating to McCrae Street.
Since then, demand has continued to grow and now, with a local team including an area manager and two member experience officers, Swan Hill’s more than 1000 fund members will have access to services in a modern, fit-for-purpose office.
Mildura Health Fund chief executive Gerard Op de Coul said the new site allowed for predicted growth in coming years while the internal fit-out supports a more personalised level of service.
“We have always planned to increase our visibility and accessibility in Swan Hill,” he said.
“It is something the Swan Hill community has been asking for and deserves.
“We are grateful for the trust the local community has put in us as their chosen health fund and with this trust comes growth and our further investment into Swan Hill.
“As a not-for-profit health fund, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional member experience and this is why we continually receive 99 per cent member satisfaction ratings in independent surveys.
“Our members are at the centre of what we do and as such, we are dedicated to positively influencing health care in the Mallee and to offering greater choice and access to services, closer to home.”
Area manager Courtney Elliot, who commenced in a full-time capacity in January, agreed that having a health fund embedded in the local community was critical for Swan Hill residents.
“We have received so much positive feedback since we began offering a five-day-per-week service and this new office gives people further peace of mind that we are investing in Swan Hill for the long-term,” Ms Elliot said.
“Our members always compliment us on the fact that we are local and easily accessible – being a part of the community matters.”
New Mildura Health Fund member and Swan Hill resident Kylie Kelly agreed that having a service with a local base made a big difference.
“I was with another provider for almost 20 years but when I needed major surgery I found out I was not covered,” Ms Kelly said.
“I decided to shop around and found that Mildura Health Fund was the best product for me and included the surgery I needed, but at a lower price.”
Since transferring to Mildura Health Fund, Ms Kelly said that in addition to the value it presented, she appreciated the personalised assistance.
“The face-to-face service is excellent, and the staff have helped me navigate the health system with ease,” she said.
The new office is located at 175 Beveridge Street, Swan Hill.
Opening hours are 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday.
