Again, the government had few answers on how to provide a solution other than the NT Primary Health Network was heading the response.

The NT PHN yesterday said its bid to lure doctors to an interim clinic in Katherine had so far failed.

Gorge Health closes its doors on Wednesday.

Today we bring you the full parliamentary exchange from yesterday.

Katherine MLA Jo Hersey question to Health Minister Natasha Fyles.

Mrs Hersey: On 28 October, Katherine's only GP clinic will face its last day of operation. Patients seeking primary healthcare will have to travel to the closest GP in Darwin or pay a visit to the hospital. Both of these options present a potential strain on patients and the healthcare system in the Northern Territory.

How will you ensure that the 8000 patients, who will be left without a GP have access to primary healthcare?

Ms Fyles: Madam Speaker, before I answer the honourable member's question, I point out that I did try to offer the Opposition ministers a briefing this week. I hope we can arrange that so they can learn to understand that primary healthcare, the PHN, is a responsibility of the Commonwealth Government.

I table a media release from October 6 which the PHN put out to the community of Katherine. We are aware that Gorge Health has made a business decision to cease operating. It provides GP services to members of the Katherine community.

We also have the hospital in Katherine and a number of Indigenous medical services. We were made well aware when the business decision was made by Gorge Health to close its doors ...

Mrs Hersey: You are leaving 8000 patients.

Ms Fyles: Would you like to hear the answer?

They do not want to hear the answer. They just want to find issues and be negative. You offer them a briefing thinking it will work because it is during sittings, but no. They do not want to hear facts; they just want to spread rumour and stir muck.

We are well aware of the importance to communities have worked with the PHN, which has been in Katherine ...

Mrs Hersey: Do not lie! You did not offer a briefing.

Ms Fyles: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask, under Standing Order 31, that the interjection be withdrawn.

Mrs Hersey: I withdraw.

Mrs Lia Finocchiaro (Opposition leader) interjecting.

Madam Speaker: Honourable members, resume your seats. Do not talk unless you are given the call by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Do not stand up and tell me how to do my job. Wait to be given the call. Have a bit of respect.

Mrs Finocchiaro: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 31: improper motives. The Health minister is trying to say that shadow ministers do not want briefings-because it does not suit her. It is incorrect and she should withdraw that accusation.

Ms Fyles: It is absolutely ridiculous to use that standing order to imply that. The member used an inappropriate word. Under Standing Order 31 you cannot say the word 'lie' in the Assembly. She has withdrawn that and we should get on with the business of answering the questions so that the people who did not show up to the briefing can learn what is happening.

Madam SPEAKER: Minister, there is time to answer the question. Any further points of order need to be made through the Speaker. Wait until I give you the call before you stand and speak, thank you.

Ms Fyles: We have been working with the PHN for some time-I have met with some of them and they have been working in Katherine. There are interested parties looking into purchasing this practice, and the PHN is working with them on that.

There are contingency plans for an interim solution should we see a lapse in service between a new purchaser and a new clinic opening. We are conscious of that.

It is a business that has made a business decision. We are aware of the impact it may have on our health service, being the Katherine hospital. We have been working with the federal government agency responsible, the PHN, to do what we can to see Katherine have a sustainable GP service developed. It has been positive to date and the PHN and I are happy to provide a briefing to update the members.

Mrs Hersey: What are the interim plans?

Ms Fyles: Madam Speaker, now they want some information. Perhaps they should have shown up to the briefings and we could have given them the information.

As I just outlined to the House, general practice services are funded through the Medicare bulk billing service and patients co-payments if the clinic is not bulk billing only.

Gorge Health made a business decision. The PHN has been working with any potential purchasers on how to establish that model. We are conscious that if there was a lapse in service delivery it would impact on Katherine hospital. We will make sure the Territory taxpayer is protected through what we access.

We have written to the Commonwealth-I think it is a section 92, but I might have that wrong. We have contingencies where we can access funding to provide services.

I am more than happy to provide a briefing. The PHN has been working hard in Katherine, and I am confident that we will see a positive resolution soon.

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