Director-General sent to find solutions to closure of bulk billing practice

The Queensland Health Minister will send her Director-General to Rockhampton to find solutions for locals desperate for medical help.

Mandalay Medical Centre at Stockland Rockhampton will close on December 1.

The Queensland Health Minister will send her Director-General to Rockhampton to discuss solutions to ensure the continued care of Mandalay Medical Centre patients as the clock ticks down to its closure.

Rockhampton’s sole bulk billing centre posted on social media late Friday that it would be closing its doors in December, leaving shocked locals concerned it will lead to even more strain on the hospital’s emergency department.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the government was working closely with Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) and the Federal Government to ensure enough resources were in place following the closure.

Ms Fentiman said Director-General Michael Walsh would travel to Rockhampton to engage with local stakeholders and work through the potential solutions available for the centre’s patients.

She has also written to Federal Health Minister Mark Butler requesting a senior official from his department to attend the meeting.

Mandalay Medical Centre is Rockhampton's only solely bulk billing centre.

A spokesman said CQ Health remained committed to working with local general practices to provide timely patient care as close to home as possible for the community.

“The health service is also working with Country to Coast Queensland (Central Queensland Primary Health Network) and (the) federal department of health to determine how best to support the community and ensure locals can access bulk-billed care,” the spokesman said.

“The planned Rockhampton Urgent Care Clinic will aid in diverting patients with non-life-threatening conditions and illnesses away from Rockhampton Hospital.”

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has been contacted for comment.

Mandalay Medical Centre posted in Friday, “It is with mixed emotions and sadness that we are announcing that Mandalay Medical Centre RS1A Stockland Rockhampton will cease to operate from 1st December 2023.

“While our doctors are available to provide your family with medical care until the 1st December 2023, you will need to secure a new GP prior to this date to ensure continuous care.”

It was also noted patients would need to authorise a copy of their health summary to be released and a fee would incur if complete medical records were required.

“Providing your family health care has been a privilege. Please know that we have greatly valued our relationship and wish you and your family all the best of health,” the notice ends.

The closure on the door of Mandalay Medical Centre.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said while primary health care is a responsibility of the federal government, she had been in contact with the health minister and she had been in contact with the owners of Mandalay to understand their decision to close.

“I’m concerned because we need more GPs in our community, not less,” she said.

Ms Fentiman said she was aware of the potential impact the decision to close the Mandalay Medical Centre would have and they were working closely with the federal government and the health service to ensure they are resourced appropriately to meet the community’s health needs.

“I am advised the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service is prepared to manage any increase in demand and is also working with local general practices to provide timely care for patients,” she said.

File photo from 2014. Rockhampton's Mandalay Medical Centre manager Michelle Johns, Dr Ceasar Torres, Breast Cancer survivor Leonie Bonner and Mandalay Medical Centre assistant manager Megan Miller with the decorated car for Breast Cancer Awareness week.

Ms Fentiman said while the bulk billing incentives in this year’s budget was a “great start”, there was still more work to be done.

“Our regional and rural hospitals continue to do an excellent job providing healthcare to the people in our communities, often in difficult and challenging circumstances,” she said.

“The establishment of the Rockhampton Urgent Care Clinic will play a vital role for this community.

A spokesman for CQHHS said CQ Health recognised the potential impact of the closure of Mandalay Medical Centre.

“Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our community and to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medical care,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone presenting to the Rockhampton Hospital to receive medical care will receive it. The Rockhampton Hospital Emergency Department is prepared to manage any increase in demand for services.”

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga. Picture: Aden Stokes

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said she was “deeply disappointed” to learn the centre would be closing its doors.

“This is going to leave an enormous gap in the health care for residents of Rockhampton, while also putting further pressure on the Emergency Department at Rockhampton Hospital,” she said.

“I have requested a meeting with the management of Mandalay Medical Centre to discuss potential ways forward that will ensure Rockhampton residents aren’t left without the medical care they need.”

Rockhampton Hospital.

The news was shared around various groups on social media within hours.

Many patients shared their dismay in the comments of having to pay to get their own medical records and stress about not being able to find a new doctor.

“This is genuinely scary. I’ve been seeing my GP for the past 4/5 years. Not to mention there are no other practices that are taking on families of new people. We already don’t have enough doctors here and now our biggest is closing! Come on.” one said.

“This is devastating for Rocky and particularly for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged that rely on bulk billing health care,” another said.

“Pressure will be on the staff at ED as people can’t get into any other doctors because they aren’t taking new and more people can’t afford private cover anymore, the government needs to do something, ED is already under pressure this will just blow out,” another read.

Dr Darryl Ba Pe and travel health nurse Caroline Nash at Mandalay Medical Centre at Stockland Rockhampton, discussing travel vaccinations. Photo Sharyn O'Neill / The Morning Bulletin

Ms Landry criticised the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) for MM2 areas.

“MM2 areas are generally the peri-urban suburbs found on the outer parts of capital cities (within commutable distance to Central Business Districts), or very large regional cities. Examples of areas where Labor has granted full or partial DPA status include Ipswich, Jimboomba and Springfield,” she said.

“The changes Labor made to the Monash Model will wreak further havoc in Rockhampton and we are already seeing this with the announcement of the closure of a medical centre this weekend.

“The policy change will draw GPs from more rural areas to MMM2 areas - robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“Doctors will move from rural and remote locations where they’ve been required to work under the DPA rules to areas that they may perceive as more ‘desirable’ locations that are a great deal closer to capital cities. More rural practices will be forced to close if they cannot recruit GPs.”

Mandalay Medical Centre was founded by Dr Daryl Ba Pe in 1994.

The closure also comes as work was expected to start on the construction of Aldi in the carpark behind Mandalay.

The plans were submitted in May 2022 and included 123 carparks to be removed to make way for the stand-alone supermarket building.

Originally published as Director-General sent to find solutions to closure of bulk billing practice