Bridgewater community angered after closure of Greenpoint Medical Services clinic announced

Melissa Tyrrell and her daughter Bailey are among thousands of Tasmanians who will be affected by the closure of their Bridgewater GP after the announcement of its shock closure.

Greenpoint Medical Centre at Bridgewater is set to close with many community members unhappy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Melissa Tyrrell and her daughter Bailey are among 8000 patients who will be affected by the closure of their Bridgewater GP after the announcement of its shock closure.

After struggling to retain doctors and nurses, the Greenpoint Medical Services clinic announced on Monday that it would shut its doors in early December following 15 years of service.

Dozens of locals turned up at the centre on Tuesday to protest the closure.

Ms Tyrrell is concerned about her family’s health, especially her almost three-year-old daughter Baylee, who has cerebral palsy and chromosome abnormalities that mean she is non-verbal and is yet to start crawling.

Losing access to Baylee’s GP – who has treated her since birth – scares Ms Tyrrell.

“I don’t want to have to explain to another GP all of Baylee’s history or have to start over again or try and fit her three years of history into a 15-minute appointment and get a doctor to understand it,” Ms Tyrrell said.

Patient Melissa Tyrrell with daughter Baylee, 2 ½, who has cerebral palsy and a rare chromosome abnormality with the doctor they rely on located at Greenpoint Medical Centre. Greenpoint Medical Centre at Bridgewater is set to close with many community members unhappy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We can wake up in the morning and Baylee can be fine and by the afternoon, Baylee is unwell so I’m on the phone almost daily with the clinic.”

Laurie Harrison has lived in the local community for 32 years and receives daily medical injections at the Greenpoint clinic.

Mr Harrison said the closure would be “tragic” for a community already limited in medical care due to low income and lack of transport options.

“I have it easier being a veteran, but what about the families who are going to have to choose between groceries or taking their sick child to the doctor,” he said.

Australian Medical Association Tasmania President Dr John Saul confirmed that northern suburbs of Hobart had been hit hard by GP closures, with Greenpoint’s announcement just the latest in a series of struggles for rural or fringe suburbs clinics.

“Unfortunately, we just don’t get enough through bulk-billing to get staff paid and keep the lights on,” Dr Saul said.

The closure also corresponds with an increase by the federal government on November 1 for bulk-billing payments, which Dr Saul said is “too late” for many clinics, including Greenpoint.

Laurie Harrison who is a patient at the clinic and unhappy with the proposed closure. Greenpoint Medical Centre at Bridgewater is set to close with many community members unhappy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Our studies are showing that up to 40 per cent of regional and remote general practices are running at a loss,” he said.

Labor Member for Lyons Jen Butler is calling on the federal and state governments to do more.

“We are calling on the State Government to find a solution to this problem and to work with the Federal Government as a solution must be found,” she said.

“There are no alternatives and the consequences of this closing will be dire for the community.”

Mr Barnett has hit back at Ms Butler’s claims, stating that she is trying to “muddy the water” by not addressing GP services as a Federal Government issue.

“The Greenpoint Medical Practice is a private GP practice supported by Medicare that is funded by and issue for the Federal Government,” Mr Barnett said.

“I have asked the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler to make urgent action through the Federal Government on these closures … they must step in as a matter of urgency.