First of two new Katherine GP clinics, Bauhinia Health, opens for bookings

THE first of Katherine’s two new permanent GP practices has opened for bookings, and staff say they are already being overwhelmed with interest

• Katherine’s doctor crisis almost over with two new GP clinics to open within the month
• Katherine to get second new permanent GP clinic, Bauhinia Health, after months-long doctor crisis

THE first of Katherine’s two new permanent GP practices has opened for bookings, and staff say they are already being overwhelmed with interest.

Bauhinia Health, a mixed-billing GP practice that will operate out of the former Gorge Health site on First Street, started taking bookings yesterday ahead of its expected opening next Monday, March 29.

MORE TOP NEWS

Litchfield council take responsibility over filling void left by Freds Pass show cancellation

NT Police seize more than 70 guns as part of national operation into illicit firearms

Winning $2.5 million Tattslotto ticket bought from Coolalinga Newsagency

Practice manager Anjali Palmer said the clinic had received “very high interest” from both callers and walk-ins on the first day of bookings.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since 8am, and people are still calling,” she said.

Ms Palmer said the practice would be opening with two GPs, though she hoped to eventually secure six, as well as two nurses.

Bauhinia Health practice manager Anjali Palmer. Picture: Emma Murray

Katherine has not had a permanent GP practice for all residents since October, when Gorge Health – the town’s only GP service for non-Indigenous as well as Indigenous people – closed its doors.

While Indigenous residents have been able to continue seeing a doctor locally at Wurli-Wurlinjang, non-Indigenous people have only been able to access GP care at an interim service set up by the NT Primary Health Network, at the Katherine Hospital emergency department or via Telehealth.

In January, two new practices – Bauhinia Health and Katherine Family Medical Practice – announced plans to open new clinics.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

Katherine Family Medical Practice, which will be located on Katherine Terrace, is due to open on April 12.

Bauhinia Health will offer GP care, telehealth, screenings, women’s health, pathology, optometry, audiology and cardiac care as well as other specialist services on a rotating basis.