No-one today has any clear solution on keeping private medical services available in Katherine after October.
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Dr P.J. Spafford from Gorge Health sent shock waves through Katherine yesterday by announcing the town's only private medical clinic would soon close.
Dr Spafford said he had reached out for help from various health organisations and was critical of the NT's Primary Health Network for failing to do "anything for Katherine".
There have been hundreds of comments on social media expressing alarm about the loss of Gorge Health.
The candidates in Saturday's Katherine election have today all promised to find a solution if elected.
Responding today through chief executive Gill Yearsley, the PHN said finding ongoing GP services for Katherine was a top priority although "no clear solution" had been identified yet.
Ms Yearsley said the PHN was aware of "some changes occurring in the Katherine region with regards to GP services and this has raised concern in the community".
"Katherine, like many rural locations nationally, has struggled to implement a model of sustainable primary health care however, we are aware that there are GPs who wish to continue to practice in Katherine," she said.
"Today we have met with Dr Spafford to clarify his future plans and he has confirmed that as of October 28, 2020, Gorge Health will no longer operate from its current premises however, he does intend to continue practicing in Katherine in a reduced capacity."
NT PHN said it was working with NT Health to investigate ongoing options to "make sure that a multi-disciplinary model of primary health care is provided to Katherine residents".
"The option needs to meet the local needs of the community and provide a sustainable business model so that the community can be assured of continuity of healthcare services," Ms Yearsley said.
"NT PHN will be meeting with key stakeholders over the coming weeks to facilitate discussions on several options and to identify which of these will be most sustainable for the Katherine region.
"We will keep the broader community informed of progress and outcomes."
Ms Yearsley said in recent years, through NT PHN's Rural Workforce Agency, it had provided support to Gorge Health through:
- Recruiting two GPs to the practice in the last three years
- Offering locum support to the practice
- Offering a sustainability grant in June 2020 to assist with bringing in a locum
- Providing a Telehealth Support Grant in April 2020 to support the implementation of telehealth facilities during the pandemic
- Supporting quality improvement measures for the practice through the NT PHN Primary Health Care Team.
- There are a range of ways NT PHN will be able to support a GP practice to enable qualityimprovement and innovation once a suitable model is identified for Katherine.
Labor candidate Kate Ganley said the NT Government has been working with the Federal Government to support their work in a solution for primary health care services in Katherine.
Katherine Times has today asked Lingiari MHR Warren Snowdon to comment on the issue.
"I guarantee, should I be elected, I will develop a solution to ensure we all have the access to health services we need," Ms Ganley said.
CLP candidate Jo Hersey said: "I see a joint venture between private and Government needing to happen here.
"As the CLP candidate I have been in consultation with the doctors, and other health professionals to work through options.Lobbying State and Federal ministers is what a strong candidate would and has done.
"Lia Finocchiaro (CLP leader) is aware of these issues and will be working through with key stake holders and community to work out the best model of delivery for the Katherine community."
Territory Alliance candidate Melanie Usher said her party was "re-working" its plan, after yesterday's announcement from Dr Spafford, to keep medical services open in Katherine.
"I am disappointed the current Government has allowed it to reach this position."
Independent candidate Clinton Booth said the closure was a disaster for Katherine.
"Katherine needs more than two doctors anyway.
"The short-term answer has to be to let all people see doctors at Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service or else the hospital will get snowed under.
"If not there needs to be some thought about providing free transport to Darwin.
"Aged people aren't going to be attracted to living here with adequate health services."
Federal member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said: "I am very concerned about the prospect of the Gorge Health closure and will be communicating closely with the Katherine Hospital, NT Government, NTPHN and other health organisations in Katherine to work towards a solution that achieves the best outcome for the Katherine region."
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