Dale Last reacts to Clermont Hospital losing another doctor

“To leave Queenslanders, and in this case the Clermont community, without a doctor is basically condemning them to third world medical services.”

Clermont Hospital recently lost another locum doctor.

Clermont residents recently lost yet another locum doctor, leaving the community with only general practitioners, a replacement doctor and telehealth services.

It has been an issue the community has battled with for years, and one Burdekin MP Dale Last puts down to doctors being overworked and understaffed.

He said the resignation of another locum doctor posed an immediate danger to locals.

"Throughout regional Queensland we are seeing health services being disrupted and doctors being overworked," he said.

"This will result in a tragedy one day.

"For a hospital that is touted for increased services to not have a doctor shows that the people responsible have taken their eye off the ball and that could result in a very bad outcome, even a death."

Burdekin MP Dale Last. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Last said the ongoing issues surrounding doctors in Clermont had resulted in one resident telling him that moving to the town, about 280km south west of Mackay, was "the worst mistake he ever made".

"The people who live and work in and around Clermont have had an absolute gutful when it comes to accessing the health services they deserve," Mr Last said.

"Quite simply, it's time for the Health Minister to intervene and fix this issue once and for all.

"Labor committed to providing dialysis in Clermont at the last election but there are people who need dialysis who can't even get an appointment with a doctor."

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) executive director of Mental Health, Public Health and Rural Services Ms Terry Johnson said MHHS was working with local health care providers, the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and key stakeholders in Clermont to develop a medical model that was integrated, sustainable and responsive to the community needs.

"Unfortunately, the recent locum doctor at Clermont Multi Purpose Health Service (MPHS) had to leave before the end of their contract due to emergent circumstances," she said.

"The locum was replaced by another senior locum and support was also available through Telehealth Emergency Medicine Support Unit which provides video links with specialist doctors at Mackay Base Hospital.

"There is also a senior doctor in town who is credentialed to provide the medical cover required for the Clermont MPHS."

Clermont Hospital.

In 2019, passionate community members took it upon themselves to create Clermont4Doctors, an initiative designed to attract doctors to reside in the regional town.

The program supports doctors and their families to settle in to the community and aims to encourage doctors to settle in Clermont for the long term to provide the community with someone permanent at the hospital.

Mr Last said the campaign to attract doctors to the town was being waged on many fronts.

"Mining companies have already injected money into the search for additional doctors and offered incentives and the federal government has increased the rebates available to GP's working in the area," he said.

"But the Queensland Government has remained silent as far as attracting new doctors and can't even ensure there is a doctor at the hospital.

"Whether it's the recruitment process that needs an overhaul or there needs to be further incentives, something must be done and, up until now, the Queensland Government has done nothing.

"To leave Queenslanders, and in this case the Clermont community, without a doctor is basically condemning them to third world medical services and the Queensland Health Minister needs to take urgent steps to ensure residents in towns like Clermont have access to the medical services they deserve."

Originally published as Town loses doctor in battle for permanent healthcare

Originally published as Dale Last reacts to Clermont Hospital losing another doctor