ECU Health Centre Yanchep

About

Yanchep and surrounding suburbs are one of the fastest-growing urban corridors in WA. The location close to beaches and areas of natural beauty, the availability of land, opening of the new Metronet Yanchep station, and planned extension of the Mitchell Freeway to Yanchep are proving popular for new residents. Overall, the suburban corridor from Eglington to Two Rocks is facing population growth of over 400% between 2024 and 2046 (source: Population Forecast, City of Wanneroo Community Profile, https://forecast.id.com.au/wanneroo). New homeowners, many with young families, are strengthening existing communities and demand for services is rapidly increasing. Yanchep is also an important metropolitan service hub for regional communities like Lancelin, Gingin, and Chittering.

Yanchep and surrounding communities experience a range of health issues, including high rates of chronic disease, emergency department presentations, potentially preventable hospitalisations, and mental health issues. Yanchep is already underserved by the health workforce, including general practice, allied health, and mental health. Access to affordable health services is set to become more pressing in the next 5 – 10 years.

The ECU Health Centre Yanchep seeks to address these issues by providing integrated and multidisciplinary health facilities in the centre of Yanchep to prevent, manage, and treat health issues and their underlying causes. The ECU Health Centre is the culmination of many years of advocacy with local, State, and Commonwealth governments, and private partners.

There are two co-located sites in central Yanchep, on Yanchep Beach Road between Booderee Road and Kakadu Road, with road access from Ikara Lane. The sites are located within walking distance of the Yanchep Central shopping centre, with accessible public transport routes.  Together, the two buildings will create the largest community health facility north of Joondalup.

The ECU Health Centre Yanchep integrates health service delivery with clinical training and research, creating new research and work-integrated learning opportunities for ECU health students. Staff from integrated services are supported to become actively engaged in training the future health workforce, and in research which translates into improved practice and health outcomes for the community.

ECU Health Centre Yanchep East

ECU has purchased an existing medical centre (982m²) to establish a multidisciplinary health centre which includes general practice, disability services, allied health, and mental health. The Centre includes dedicated clinical training rooms to support work-integrated learning opportunities for ECU students and researchers.

The ECU Health Centre Yanchep East commences providing public services in October 2024. From 2025, ECU will provide a range of student-led, affordable and accessible programs to the community, similar to those already offered at the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo and the Joondalup Community Clinical School.

ECU Health Centre Yanchep West

Located immediately next to the ECU Health Centre East, ECU has purchased a vacant lot to develop a second building, the ECU Health Centre Yanchep West, to complete the Yanchep precinct.

ECU Health Centre Yanchep West aims to provide a range of intervention and prevention services in areas including mental health, chronic disease management, aged care, social services, and community health and wellbeing. Building commences in 2025, and the Centre will open in 2026.

Governance

The ECU Health Centre Yanchep Steering Committee oversees project activities, ensures appropriate project governance and compliance, monitors emerging risks, and promotes the Centre to networks and communities. Professor Moira Sim, Executive Dean, School of Medical and Health Sciences, is the ECU Executive Sponsor and chairs the Yanchep Steering Committee. The Committee meets every two months, and reports are provided to the ECU Health Centre Wanneroo Committee.