Wilsonton Medical Centre tells patients it will close

One of the Darling Downs’ largest health providers has announced it will close part of its business as it struggles to find doctors amid a national GP shortage.

The Wilsonton Medical Centre has announced it will close in the face of a national-GP shortage.

In a letter to its patients, Platinum Health Group, which owns the centre, said it was forced to relocate after its Wilsonton clinic flooded in late 2022.

The cost to restore the building and relocate all the doctors and nurses to another PHG site triggered the board to review the Wilsonton Medical Centre operation.

“Over the past few months, you may have also read and heard the numerous media stories on the challenges facing general practices in Australia,” the email said

“Platinum Health Group is not immune to these challenges.

“The PHG Board regularly reviews the Group’s business to ensure its financial health.”

The group thanked doctors Cormac Carey and Peter Hopson for their contribution to the centre over the past 35 years.

“However, with the ongoing challenges of recruiting general practitioners Wilsonton Medical Centre no longer has the number of doctors needed to ensure a viable practice,” the email said.

The Wilsonton Medical Centre has been open to the public since 1976 and it was there that the PHG was founded.

The group operates clinics in Highfields, St Andrews Private Hospital, Toowoomba City and Pittsworth.

It is understood that all Wilsonton Medical Centre patients will be encouraged to attend the PHG’s clinic at St Andrew’s Private Hospital and Platinum on North.