Millmerran in shock as town's only medical centre closes

Politicians, residents and business groups in the small town of Millmerran are hoping the sudden closure of its GP clinic can be rectified soon.

Millmerran Medical Centre.

POLITICIANS, residents and business groups in the small town of Millmerran are hoping the sudden closure of its GP clinic can be rectified soon.

Locals are reeling after the Millmerran Medical Centre announced through text messages to clients that it would not re-open in 2020 at this stage.

"Millmerran Medical Centre will not be reopening in 2020. Please arrange alternate ongoing medical care," the message said.

The privately-owned practice, owned by long-time GP Dr Andrew Reedy, also provided doctors to the town's hospital and also saw patients at Cecil Plains.

Millmerran Commerce and Progress secretary Roselle Crellin said the clinic needed to be reopened as soon as possible, expressing concern for residents with ongoing health conditions.

"I would believe the patients going to that surgery would be absolutely dumbfounded," she said.

"It's going to be very disturbing for Millmerran residents.

"It's an essential service that has to be replaced sooner rather than later.

"There are people dependent on that service - that will be a very big problem for their medical conditions."

Mayor Paul Antonio, who grew up and has a property in Millmerran, said the news was "catastrophic".

"That particular medical centre and practice has been a part of community for many years," he said.

"I think we'll have to fight very hard to retain everything we have.

"I'm very concerned about it, I've lived most of my life in Millmerran, and the doctors there have served my health needs in Millmerran.

"It's catastrophic. It's absolutely knocked me for six."

Other residents took a more positive attitude, with Millmerran Pharmacy owner Grace Murray hopeful the centre would not remain closed for an extended period.

Darling Downs West Moreton PHN CEO Merrilyn Strohfeldt said she was disappointed to hear the news.

"We at the PHN understand the critical role general practice plays in the delivery of health services to our rural communities, and we are saddened to hear about the closure of the Millmerran Medical Centre," she said.

The closure will force patients to either head to the Millmerran Hospital or travel to Pittsworth.

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service executive director Jo Shaw said extra doctors would be stationed at the hospital.