GP clinics offer hope where new patients simply can’t get in

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle

Written by STEVEN BURKE.

THE opening of two new bulk billing services will spread the load currently being carried by local medical practices.

The shortage of general practitioners in Wangaratta has got to the point where two of the town’s four existing clinics have closed books.

Both Wangaratta Medical Centre and Ovens Medical Centre are currently not taking any new patients, while six of the eight doctors at Phillipson Street Clinic also cannot take any new patients.

A representative from Ely Street Clinic said its books were open and that bulk billing was available.

And Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) could also benefit from the new clinic.

A representative from NHW said the hospital had 1000 more admissions to its emergency department in the last financial year, compared to the previous 12 months.

The hospital could not confirm if the spike in admissions could be attributed to a doctor shortage in Wangaratta.