The long anticipated PYMS Health Hub will take a major step toward becoming reality today, as the turning of sod signals the beginning of construction.

The $9.19 million Health Hub will bring together health and service providers instrumental to tackling the effects of drugs, alcohol and mental health issues faced by young people in the Peel region.

Construction of the PYMS Health Hub is particularly significant to Member for Canning Andrew Hastie, who has worked with GP Down South and other local service providers to make it a reality since the by-election in September 2015.

“After hearing about the vision for the PYMS Health Hub from GP Down South in 2015, I started the Canning Ice Action Group,” Mr Hastie said. “The Group brought together local service providers to implement a coordinated approach for the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. It was clear the Health Hub model was the way to do that.

Speaking about her initial engagement with Mr Hastie, Business Development Manager Eleanor Britton from GP Down South said, “When I first approached Andrew about the issues young people in our community were facing, I was impressed with how he listened, was prepared to learn more about those issues and then followed up with action.”

“We sought community buy in, and were overwhelmed with the response,” said Mr Hastie. “Parents, siblings, friends and teammates all shared their stories of past and present struggles. It was obvious the community needed help and lasting change. So I took a delegation of local stakeholders, including parents and young people affected by drug and alcohol and mental health issues, to meet with the Prime Minister in April 2016 and appeal directly to the decision makers.”

“The Prime Minister understood what was at stake for the Peel region and so during last year’s election the Coalition committed $2 million for capital works for the PYMS Health Hub. As a consequence of sustained local advocacy, both major parties committed to an additional $5 million during the WA state election, which gave the project bipartisan support. The new government has rightly upheld that commitment.”

“This project is testament to how a community can work together to create solutions when we have strong and united leadership from both sides of politics and all levels of government,”

 said Eleanor Britton of GP Down South. “This will be a facility that will change our community and one that our community should be proud of.”

Mr Hastie was pleased to see how other service providers had got on board the PYMS Health Hub. “The GP Down South and the Palmerston Association have been part of the vision from the early days, but it’s also really exciting to see other service providers, like Allambee Counselling, CAHMS, and a federally funded Headspace will join the Health Hub as well.”  

“This is an historic day for providing better services to the Peel region. The PYMS Health Hub will ensure young people have local access to support for drugs, alcohol, mental health issues and more.

“This new model of healthcare could be easily duplicated in other regional communities, so it’s great to see the Peel Region taking the lead for at risk youth,” Mr Hastie said.