SW clinic closes as patients stay away
ABOUT 1400 people will be left without a doctor when Southern Forests Health closes its doors on Tuesday after two years.
The practice was opened by not-for-profit organisation GP down south in February, 2013 to address a shortfall of general practitioners in Manjimup.
Southern Forests Health has been operating at about 50 per cent patient capacity and running at a loss of about $30,000 a month.
Letters were sent to patients last week about the clinic's closure and the transfer of medical records.
GP down south concluded talks with local GPs about the transfer of ownership last week, without a positive outcome.
"We have done everything we can to keep Southern Forests Health open, including promoting the practice to increase patient numbers," said GP down south chief executive officer Amanda Poller.
"This has been a difficult decision for GP down south and we regret the impact on our employed doctors, the practice staff, our patients and the wider community of Manjimup."
Manjimup shire president Wade DeCampo said it was disappointing a resolution could not be reached with local doctors to take on the practice.
"I would encourage Southern Forests Health patients to speak to their GP and encourage them to stay in town, show confidence in the region and take on the practice - even if on a temporary basis," he said.
Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman said the clinic's closure was a "disappointing outcome".
"GP down south's decision to establish a new Manjimup medical practice was one of a number of initiatives that arose from a 2009 forum I chaired to identify issues with GP retention in Manjimup," he said.
"I'm very aware of the significant time and effort GP down south put into recruiting GPs to the Southern Forests Health practice.
"It is very disappointing that, after more than two years, patient numbers were insufficient to keep the clinic operating viably."
