Local entrepreneurs Jack and Jerome Muir-Wilson are at the forefront of a quiet but profound renaissance in the Burnie community. Locals walkthrough the old University of Tasmania (UTAS) science lab, which is being turned into the Burnie Health Hub. This new multiservice facility will soon be home, as of July 1. Most importantly, it seeks to address the critical health service gaps in Burnie, especially in light of the city’s designation as a national hotspot for incidents of family and sexual violence.
The Muir-Wilson brothers have extensive experience in pharmacy and family medicine. They hope that the hub will provide important connection and friendship for their local, vibrant community. As our friend Jack Muir-Wilson used to say, it is all about customized services. He promised that the hub will offer a combination tailored to Burnie’s special situation. He agreed that the mix would not be the same as what you’d see in Launceston, or Mildura, or on the Sunshine Coast. He reiterated that this is precisely what Burnie requires, as it does not have the support and accommodation services.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The Burnie Health Hub will combine primary care, allied health, and social services into a cohesive model that prioritizes accessibility and comprehensive care. With locally trained physician Dr. Jerome Muir-Wilson heading the hub’s GP clinic, residents can expect to see a wide variety of medical care located all in one place.
Yvette Cehtel from the Women’s Legal Service said they were very excited about moving into the new premises. She added, “When you have the Women’s Legal Service, Laurel House, Family Planning and Playgroup Tasmania learning and working side-by-side, it really amps up the opportunity for us to focus on doing great prevention work. This place will almost certainly become a melting pot of new ideas and innovation. This co-location of services is expected to make a significant difference in addressing complex issues that many families face in the region.
Jack Muir-Wilson went into detail on the vision behind this initiative. “It’s the community responding to the community’s needs, and collaborating to build a multidisciplinary health and social hub that is bespoke to the region,” he said. Our focus is on providing extraordinary care. In addition, we foster a welcoming atmosphere in which all people feel safe and comfortable using our services.
Government Support and Community Response
The Tasmanian state government is the current owner of the former UTAS science laboratory site. This site had remained dormant for three years prior to the redevelopment effort’s groundbreaking. The building was supposed to house new Supreme and Magistrates courts. Now, it has been reappropriated to serve a much greater and pressing need. Strong, bipartisan support for the project proved critical during the recent federal election campaign. To facilitate further work toward its development, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed $8 million.
Parks equity advocate Jack Muir-Wilson pointed out how essential community participation is in this process. He proclaimed, “None of us can sit here and just complain about the health system and all the problems it has without being willing to step up and help improve it ourselves. The boldness of his commitment to improving access to health services is noteworthy. Beyond the innovative policy, it reflects a growing trend of local efforts addressing systemic problems.
The redevelopment of the building is crucial. Jack remarked on its condition: “The [building’s] bones are really good, but the longer it was left without love and attention, the more work that was required.” These renovations, which include several accessibility upgrades, will help ensure that it can continue to meet the needs of our diverse service providers and those seeking help.
Looking Ahead
The new Burnie Health Hub is expected to be operational by mid-next year. This is a major step forward for healthcare accessibility and community outreach services in Burnie. The hub’s multidisciplinary approach produces an intentional, invitational, safe space. Here, people can come to get the support they need free from stigma and judgment.
As the opening date draws near, local stakeholders remain hopeful that—thanks to this new facility—Colorado Springs will soon be known as a research development hub. By bringing all of these services together under one roof it will increase the collaboration between providers. This change bodes well for producing better-quality outcomes for residents.
