Feasibility study into new care model to bring a new doctor to Cloncurry

After a regional town’s doctor had to leave his post due to a decline in his health, Queensland Health is looking for a new way to bring doctors to the town.

KAP Leader Robbie Katter

Following the exit of Cloncurry’s last private GP due to burnout, the Queensland Health is exploring the possibility of a new care model while ‘remote reliever’ doctors are in place.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has revealed the North West HHS (Hospital and Health Service) were “actively exploring” the feasibility of adopting a new ‘single employer’ health model, which had been recommended.

The news comes after Traeger MP Robbie Katter called on Mr Nicholls to provide a guarantee the Cloncurry community would have adequate access to GPs and health services.

The Cloncurry doctor situation boiled over on March 25, when Dr Cameron Hoare – the last private GP in the town – took to Facebook to address his community.

“Due to the effect it was having on my health, I have had to resign from the Cloncurry Hospital as the medical superintendent, as well as cease operating the general practice in town,” Dr Hoare said.

Dr Cameron Hoare

“I have been very thankful for the Cloncurry Shire Council’s support of both the hospital and the general practice. Without their support, running a general practice in Cloncurry would not have been possible.”

ABC North West reported Dr Hoare was “burnt out” by an “unsustainable” workload placed on him.

Dr Hoare said he would be working with Council and the North West HHS to “find a solution” to keep the GP service running after his departure.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls during the Queensland parliament question time. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said Queensland Country Practice was engaged by the state to analyse the health needs of Cloncurry, the workforce volume, and make recommendations.

Their recommendation was a ‘single employer’ model in a public-private partnership.

“The North West HHS executive have determined that this is the preferred model,” Mr Nicholls said.

“North West HHS is actively exploring feasibility and budget implications of implementing such a model.”

Mr Nicholls said he was advised that in the interim between Dr Hoare leaving in June, and a decision being made on the model, GPs and rural generalist doctors have been employed in ‘remote reliever’ roles, along with some returning locums, to provide backfill cover.

“North West HHS are supporting negotiations with a party interested in taking on the private general practice, with medical staff facilitated by the North West HHS as per the recommended arrangement,” Mr Nicholls said.

Cloncurry isn’t the only North West town struggling to keep attracting doctors to these isolated job postings – Julia Creek is advertising again for a GP after a nationwide, highly publicised search in 2023.

Mr Katter questioned Mr Nicholls about the Cloncurry health situation on April 3.

Mr Nicholls responded on May 2.

The North West HHS were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Feasibility study into new care model to bring a new doctor to Cloncurry