Southside Excelsior Medical Centre sold to DoctorLink

The Brisbane-based new owners said their attention was drawn to the Gympie practice after their patients in other parts of the region said it was ‘almost impossible’ to get an appointment

The Excelsior Medical Centre at the Southside has been sold to Brisbane-based DoctorLink for an undisclosed sum.

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same.

New c0-owner of the Southside’s Excelsior Medical Centre, Damien Kiely, said this was the plan for the centre after it was purchased by his company DoctorLink at the start of May for an undisclosed sum.

“Nothing’s changing,” Mr Kiely said.

“There’s a reason we bought it.

“We’re not looking to change the way the practice operates.”

This meant that the doctors, nurses and support staff would continue to work there.

Mr Kiely is the managing director and co-owner of the Brisbane-based company, which also runs clinics in Imbil, Pomona and Cooroy and has others stretching to Bundaberg.

Mr Kiely said “nothing will change” in how the clinic runs under its new management, with doctors and staff to remain.

The company’s attention was drawn to the Exhibition Rd practice by their patients in other clinics.

“We heard through our patients it was almost impossible to get an appointment in Gympie,” Mr Kiely said.

But keeping the same standards did not mean there were no plans to improve the centre.

“One thing we’re looking to do is create a diabetes education centre,” Mr Kiely said.

This would open treatment options outside of Gympie Hospital for patients, he said.

And as for concerns the sale of the practice to a company was another step away from the personal touch of a small practice, Mr Kiely was adamant the level of care would stay the same.

“If you’re going to the practice already, give us the feedback,” Mr Kiely said.

“If we’re not doing things properly people will stop coming to us.

“We’re more than aware of that; you can’t fake it.”