It seems old habits are hard to break after more than 20 years of  having the previous allied health centre inside the hospital with entrances off Ryot and Hider streets.

Now the only public entrance is off Koroit Street and South West Healthcare is at pains to get the message out to the 240 clients who use the services on average each day.

“The problem is that some of them might only come in every six months or so and they are unaware of the changes,” said community partnerships manager Suzan Morey.

“They are trying to access it from the old entrances and getting lost.”

Allied health services include cardiac rehabilitation, counselling, support, diabetes, nutrition, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology and wound management.

The dental clinic formerly on Ryot Street, and a new medical centre are also based there.

Regional mental health services, formerly at Bohan Place on Lava Street, are also in the new wing and have a separate entrance further west on Koroit Street.

A total of 260 staff work in the wing which has 14 free two-hour off-street car parks.

pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au