Mission Beach loses its only GP, medical centre closing next week

##MP##

Residents of Mission Beach will soon have to travel to Tully or Innisfail to see a doctor, following the loss of the town’s only remaining general practitioner.

Tristar Medical Group has confirmed it’s closing its Mission Beach Medical Centre from December 17, after four years in operation.

Executive Director of Clinical Operations, Anne Gardner, told Tropic Now the centre’s only GP, Dr David Smith, is leaving.

##BA##

“Dr Smith has provided ongoing services for the community during this time, however is no longer available to continue,” she said.

“As the only GP this has forced us to close the clinic until such time as we can recruit another into the area. 

“Tristar can also confirm that we have continually tried to recruit more GPs into the community throughout the entire period we were operating, to try to build a sustainable and reliable service at Mission Beach.” 

##PQ##

Dr Smith became the town’s only GP when Dr Jamie Crowe and Karen McGuire closed their clinic at the end of 2019, citing a Medicare freeze which capped the amount of money paid by the government for medical services among the factors.

The dwindling number of doctors wanting to work in regional areas also contributed.

Tristar Medical Group said recruitment of doctors to the seaside town has proven challenging.

“We advise members of the community to contact their local federal members to discuss the impacts this has on them and their families as it is an area the Federal Government is aware is affecting regional communities significantly,” Ms Gardner said.

“The challenges are also the subject of a Senate enquiry at this time. 

“The lack of General Practitioners and poor levels of Medicare funding for other skilled health providers such as Nurse Practitioners is creating an inequitable health service across our nation and is known to lead to poorer health outcomes for people living in regional and remote communities.”

The Federal Government this week announced an incentive scheme to attract more graduate doctors into rural areas, which will see HECS debts wiped.

Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, whose electorate includes Mission Beach, has applauded the move.

“The more the remote the location, the quicker that HECS debt will be wiped,” Mr Katter said.

“This is exactly what we are after.”

##PQ2##

Mr Katter is also urging the government to lower the bar on foreign doctors to bridge the GP shortfall.

“Even though first year doctors and foreign doctors may not be able to jump over the very high bar currently set, the bar simply has to be set lower because the choice is now between seeing a ‘not-so-good doctor’ or no doctor at all,” he said.

“I’ll take the not-so-good doctor every time because I have found they make up for their inexperience with idealism, enthusiasm, and energy.”