Oasis Medical Centre Broadbeach to close its doors in December after costs push it to insolvency

Patients of a popular beachside medical centre will be forced to find another clinic after the business permanently shuts down. Here’s why

Patients of a popular beachside medical centre will be forced to find another clinic as rising costs push the small business to close its doors.

Oasis Medical Centre in Broadbeach informed patients via text message that it would “be made insolvent” from December 22.

“We will continue to operate during normal business hours until then, in order for current patients to organise their files moved to their choice of alternative medical practice,” the message said.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult transition.”

The clicnic is inside the Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach. Photo: Regi Varghese

Earlier this year, Oasis Medical owner Dr Ali Zebarjad, warned affordable health care on the Gold Coast was “dying”, with clinics struggling to stay afloat and abandoning bulk-billing amid escalating costs.

“When you look at it as a business, GP clinics are a failing business,” Dr Zebarjad said in June. “It’s a big sacrifice to keep the clinic open. I don’t know how someone can afford to do this without any help.

“I am holding on for dear life, but it’s completely unsustainable.”

The Gold Coast Bulletin has contacted Dr Zebarjad for comment.

Staff at the clinic on Wednesday said Dr Zebarjad had moved to Dubai.

Doctors and others renting rooms would have to find new premises, the staff member said, while direct employees had been made redundant.

“The patients have been very understanding which is great and really helps us,” they said.

“It’s still pretty awful though.”

Oasis Medical Centre owner and primary doctor Dr Ali Zebarjad. Picture: Glenn Hampson

One long-time patient said the clinic’s staff were very professional and it would be a shame to see it close.

“I just think it’s really sad that in this day and age you have a perfectly legitimate, competent company like this having to close its doors,” the patient said.

Dr Zebarjad opened Oasis Medical Centre as a bulk-billing service in 2019, aiming to build the practice to nine doctors catering for 400 patients a day.

The clinic later went private as it struggled with the rapidly rising cost of rent, salaries, insurance, medical supplies and electricity.

The clinic’s story echoes that of GPs across the country, who say the Medicare rebate has failed to keep pace with inflation, making bulk-billing services unsustainable and putting GPs out of business.

Oasis Medical Centre owner and primary doctor Dr Ali Zebarjad. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Medicare rebate for a short consultation has risen just over $4 in a decade – from $35.60 to $39.75, while the AMA-recommended fee for a standard consultation is around $86.

While initially working with women’s and men’s health, as well as skin cancer checks and vaccinations, Oasis Medical more recently branched out into cosmetic treatments including botox and fillers.

It wasn’t enough to sustain the clinic, which Dr Zebarjad said made a profit of just $45,000 last year.

“Every day we get around five to seven people who ask us whether we bulk-bill and leave because we don’t,” he said in June.

“I always wanted to be a GP because I want to treat people – it’s not a good feeling when you can’t even see the patient altogether.

“So for new doctors – why would you want to become a GP?”

The end of Oasis Medical will follow the closure of other Gold Coast clinics this year including 21 Medical Centre in Palm Beach and MyHealth’s Nerang branch.