You have various options when looking for a family health centre. The secret is to assess the services offered by the various facilities to determine the right fit for your family. Below is a guide to help you choose a family health centre. 

Accessibility

Is the health care centre accessible? Accessibility is a concern since you need to access the facility as fast as possible during a medical emergency. Essentially, consider conveniently located facilities with ample parking and security. Some facilities go the extra mile to make their services to the local communities. For example, they could offer home visits or home care services to critically ill patients. Some family health centres also integrate technology to guarantee accessibility. For example, they use telehealth to allow doctors to follow up on their patient's progress. It helps reduce the number of visits that patients make to the facility.   

Staff Competence 

Check the health care centre's website to establish the competence and experience of their staff. For instance, ensure the GPs and nurses at the facility have the required training and certifications from reputable medical associations. Then assess customer reviews to know how the staff at the facility treat patients. As a rule, they must treat patients with dignity regardless of their medical condition. 

Appropriateness

Is the healthcare centre appropriate for your family? The facility's service charter and mission statement should give insights into whether it is a right fit. For example, staff conduct would be a concern if you need the facility to respect your cultural or religious beliefs. For example, your cultural practices could compel you to consult with doctors of a specific gender or those that understand your culture. Most Australian family health facilities go the extra mile to ensure clients do not feel stigmatised as they receive healthcare services. 

Services 

Your preferred family health centre should be a one-stop shop for all your health needs. For instance, if you have young kids, consider facilities with a fully dedicated paediatric unit. Conversely, if you have a long term illness, choose healthcare facilities with modern diagnostic and treatment machines. This way, you do not have to travel long distances to receive medication or rehabilitation. The facility must also have an emergency unit to respond to car accident victims and other emergencies such as poisoning, fainting, seizures, strokes and heart attacks. 

When choosing a family health centre, examine its accessibility, staff competence, appropriateness and services.