Mackay HHS responds to concerns over the loss of Clermont midwifery services

A recent announcement to create a single hub medical model has sparked concerns across the community. Here’s what is means for midwifery services.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service reveals Clermont won’t lose health services as part of its move to a single hub medical model.

Authorities reveal Clermont residents can expect increased ante and post-natal care despite concerns over the loss of local midwifery services.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (Mackay HHS) recently announced Clermont Doctors Surgery would merge with Clermont Country Practice to create a single hub medical model on July 12, a plan expected to attract more permanent doctors to the rural community.

Mackay HHS hosted a community meeting on Thursday, June 17, to give community members a chance to ask questions and learn more about the new medical model.

The well attended meeting was a success according to Mackay HHS chief executive Lisa Davies Jones, attracting more than 150 people to talk through all of the issues and how the new model came about.

Ms Davies Jones said all allied health and visiting services at Clermont Doctors Surgery would continue, despite community concerns.

“In terms of midwifery, we believe there is an opportunity for Mackay HHS and Rural Health Management, which provides the current midwife, to pool resources and increase the amount of ante and post-natal care provided to women in the Isaac region.”

This comes after a Facebook post by a local midwife sparked fears of a loss of services across the community.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Lisa Davies Jones.

Melanie Bishop, a midwife who regularly visits Clermont Doctors Surgery, aired her concern that the services would be discontinued.

“I have attempted to talk and correspond with Dr Sarah McLay through her current Country Practice GP clinic,” Ms Bishop said.

“I hoped to provide [Clermont Country Practice’s] pregnancy and newborn with my service.

“Unfortunately Sarah has never responded.

“After hearing of the clinics closure on July 9, I feel that the community of Clermont will no longer have the services of a midwife.”

Ms Davies Jones said she expected those services to increase as part of the long term goal to create a training hub for doctors in Clermont.

While some community members left the meeting feeling more educated, many were left with more questions.

Carolyn Moriarty, secretary of the Clermont Community Business Group, was excited by the long term goal but was concerned of the shorter term issues.

“I don’t think anyone was not unhappy with the goal, it’s a great thing to aim for, but the immediate challenge of filling doctor’s positions is what’s of concern,” she said.

It was revealed that four was the ideal number of doctors in Clermont to cover the GP and hospital, also allowing doctors to have sufficient down time.

Secretary of the Clermont Community Business Group Carolyn Moriarty.

“We are working to increase the number of doctors in Clermont and hope to have a third doctor on board as quickly as possible and a fourth to be recruited by August,” Ms Davies Jones said.

Although with only two doctors currently, community members were concerned Clermont Country Practice owner Sarah McLay would be burnt out by the time extra doctors arrived.

“Will Sarah survive until August? We’ve got July and August, and that doctor is not 100 per cent,” Ms Moriarty said.

“If that falls through, what then? It’s putting pressure on local medical staff and surrounding areas.”

She said other concerns were raised in regards to Clermont’s elderly and their families, with no general practitioner attached to the Montcler aged care facility, but Mrs McLay reassured locals she was motivated to address that issue.

There had also been positive feedback about the use of telehealth services.

“I think we should give it a chance, let the dust settle to give [Mackay HHS] the opportunity to get the plan into action and then do another community discussion again down the track to talk about what’s been successful and what hasn’t worked,” Ms Moriarty said.

Mackay HHS has been working with stakeholders since early 2020 to discuss the new model.

Ms Davies Jones said the team had carried out regular meetings with all of those involved including Rural Health Management, which operates the Clermont Doctors Surgery, the Northern Queensland Primary Heath Network and Clermont4Doctors.

“It has taken time for the health service and two other organisations to be able to create the new model and make it at reality,” she said.

“We are committed to continuing to keep the community informed about our efforts to ensure they have access to sustainable healthcare.”