Premier Health Partners

For the past ten years, Paul O’Keefe and the Premier Health Partners team has provided individualised and professional health care to the local community.

“We're a medical and allied health clinic. I'm an osteopath, and we have general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapy, remedial and sports massage therapy and pathology,” explains Paul.

Growing up, Paul was a keen sportsperson and fascinated by the science of the body. This led him to become interested in osteopathy, an allied health practice that focuses on the bones, muscles, nerves and other tissues that support the body and control its movements.

He rented a space to practice in 2012 on King Street. Over the years, the business grew organically as he brought on like-minded practitioners with a similar vision and interests.

The group relocated to their current, purpose-built space at the base of the West End apartments twelve months ago. Paul lives with his family in an apartment upstairs from the business.

“With time, the practice has evolved and became more of a medical clinic, and we outgrew the old space. This site has disability access and a better layout. We wanted something nicer than our previous tenancy to reflect the high quality of the personalised care that we provide.”

As an osteopath, Paul takes a common-sense approach to help the body to work at its best.

“I try to resolve people's problems quickly and not have them needing to come back all the time. I give them the best advice so that we can quickly sort out their condition and move on. That’s not to say that we are a volume healthcare provider - we don’t rush people out in ten minutes and squeeze in as many appointments as possible.”

Paul loves that his job involves talking to people each day and getting to know their circumstances.

“We make an effort to know everyone that comes in really well. Once I help a client with their immediate issues, we often move beyond their condition and get to chat about all of the things that they get up to - where they travel, their families and their lives.”

Premier Health Partners continues to grow but isn’t rushing that growth as they plan for the future. They will continue to provide a high level of service to their patients, offering the remedies that the community needs.

“This area has got so much going for it. There is a massive future here,” smiles Paul. “West Melbourne is like a village, a country town, on the edge of the city. You really feel a part of something.”

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio