Health advocates in the town of Moura have ceased their collaboration with the local health service following the departure of the community’s sole permanent general practitioner this week. Concerns had been raised over the sustainability of the doctor’s workload for several months.
The Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service has indicated that it is in the process of recruiting medical officers while continuing to engage with the community regarding healthcare needs.
Marie Cherry, an 82-year-old resident battling terminal breast cancer, expressed anxiety over the potential absence of medical care in her town. Having lived in Moura, located in Queensland’s coal belt, for over half a century, she stated that relocating is not a feasible option for her. “I’m managing my condition currently, but I worry that when I truly need medical assistance, there may not be a doctor available,” she shared.
Moura, situated two hours from Rockhampton, has faced ongoing challenges in maintaining an adequate medical workforce. Previously, a single GP served both the local medical center and hospital, occasionally supplemented by locum doctors. However, this primary physician has now chosen to leave.
Rod Martin, who served as a locum in Moura for two weeks and is also the president of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, commented on the overwhelming demands placed on the doctor. He noted that, as the only physician for a population of 2,000, the health needs were significant and that the town required more than one doctor to adequately address its healthcare challenges.
Kyarah Williams, a former Moura resident, recounted her experience when she took her nine-month-old child to the hospital for symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, only to leave without seeing a doctor. She described the situation as “upsetting,” feeling that there was a lack of urgency and care in the way her child was treated, being advised to go home and manage the situation on her own.
Debbie Elliott, a health advocate in Moura, expressed her frustration after months of urging the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service to increase temporary medical support for the now-departed permanent GP, to no avail. “We warned them six months ago that this situation would arise, but our pleas went unanswered,” she lamented. Elliott, who has been advocating for health issues in Moura for 13 years, stated that she has never witnessed the local health service in such a critical condition.
In light of the current circumstances, Elliott has resigned from her position as chair of the local community advisory group, which has also ceased its collaboration with the health service. “Many people are understandably upset, knowing that we had a doctor willing to stay, and now we face a future without one,” she remarked.
A spokesperson for the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service confirmed that they are actively seeking candidates to fill the medical officer vacancies and remain committed to engaging with the Moura community. The town has secured funding for two doctors and will continue to pursue locum support as recruitment efforts progress for more permanent positions.
In contrast, the nearby town of Theodore has experienced greater stability in its medical workforce, thanks to a private clinic that has effectively retained its staff. Clinic owners Elizabeth and Ben Clarkson highlighted that training a consistent stream of medical students has been crucial in maintaining their workforce in the rural area. “By coming to rural communities, they can witness the expanded scope of practice and envision a future career here,” Mr. Clarkson explained.
Dr. Clarkson emphasized the importance of early intervention in healthcare, noting that most of the work is conducted within the primary care setting, which helps to minimize hospital admissions. “Identifying health issues early on is vital for patient outcomes; we want to avoid seeing patients in critical condition due to years without a GP,” she stated.
Mr. Clarkson remains optimistic that Moura can discover a distinctive approach to attract and retain medical professionals. “We should refer to Moura as ‘Mouradise’,” he suggested. “It is a wonderful town that deserves to have access to a doctor.”
