BALONNE TAKES ACTION TO PROTECT ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES

Balonne Shire Council has partnered with South West Hospital and Health Service and the St George Medical Centre in a proactive move to avoid problems plaguing Australia’s rural and regional general practice clinics.

Balonne Shire CEO Matthew Magin announced that the partnership has agreed to engage an independent facilitator who will investigate viable options to maintain the St George Medical Centre and continue offering essential primary healthcare services for the St George community.

“It is no secret that rising costs, doctor shortages and funding shortfalls are having a devastating impact on rural GP practices across Australia. 

“Unfortunately, this is having a direct impact on a key primary health care clinic in our shire,” said Mr Magin.

“Thanks to the St George Medical Centre taking a pre-emptive and transparent approach, we have the opportunity to work together, and with South West Hospital and Health Service, to find a solution for what is now a very common issue for rural communities across Australia.”

In February 2023, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) issued a warning to National Cabinet that the nation’s GPs are at crisis point and many practices are facing collapse.

A recent survey conducted by newsGP, the masthead of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, found that more than a third of general practices were at risk of closure in the next 12 months. 
NewsGP also reported that 184 practices across Australia had closed in a 12-month period.

Balonne Shire Council have engaged S&D Healthcare Solutions to examine sustainable general practice solutions for the St George community. 

This will include detailed financial and workforce analysis, extensive community consultation and a co-designed model, with a business and strategic plan in place. 

Initial work is due to commence in February this year, with community consultation scheduled to commence in March.