30/06/2023
❌ A SAD DAY FOR KINGAROY ❌
With heavy hearts we share that the Kingaroy Medical Centre closes today. This decision was not an easy one, and one which our management and Board did not take lightly.
The practice was unsustainable for some time due to various factors, including low Medicare bulk bill rebates and the challenge of providing primary care to disadvantaged and vulnerable patients while balancing the books. Until very recently most patients were bulk billed for their care.
❌ The main reason for the closure, however, is our inability to attract and recruit two permanent, qualified doctors which despite our tireless efforts and significant recruitment and associated costs just proved impossible. The GP shortage continues to impact delivery of primary care, particularly in rural and underserved regions. ❌
We express our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated Kingaroy team who worked tirelessly to provide patient care and maintain services under difficult and uncertain conditions. They have been the backbone of the practice, and we are grateful for their commitment and dedication.
We deeply regret that patients will now need to find alternative GP services in an area already underserved where many practices are not accepting new patients.
We are also thankful to many stakeholders and agencies including Health Workforce Queensland, CheckUP Australia and Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN who have offered support, funding and assistance along the way.
