GP super clinic plans stalled | Bundaberg News | Local News in Bundaberg

THE $5 million GP super clinic promised to Bundaberg during the 2007 federal election campaign is still bogged down, the federal government said last night.

“The assessment process for the Bundaberg GP Super Clinic has not yet concluded and therefore no decision has been made on the operators for the clinic,” a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Ageing said.

The GP super clinic will provide a one-stop shop for GPs, nurses, psychologists, dentists and pharmacists.

The news comes in the same week that the first of 35 GP super clinics to be built around for the nation was officially opened in Ballan, Victoria.

When the local GP super clinic goes ahead it may have some competition, with Bundaberg Plaza unveiling its ambitious plan to turn the shopping centre into a largely health-themed complex.

Centre managers Angaet Property Management are set to begin a letter drop in a bid to bring medical professionals from around the state to Bundaberg.

“This is something that every community should have, and we believe that Bundaberg is one of these communities,” Angaet Property Management property manager Tracy Warren said.

The health care zone will transform the shopping centre into a hub for GPs, dentists, podiatrists and other health professionals.

Northern Cluster manager of the Sunshine Coast-Wide Bay Health Service Beth Norton yesterday said Queensland Health was supportive of the initiative.

“Queensland Health welcomes the development of primary health care services within the community,” Ms Norton said.

“Any increase of such capacity would benefit the community and complement the services already provided by Queensland Health.”

The federal health department also had no objections.

“The Department of Health and Ageing is not aware of the specific details of this venture, however, we are supportive of activities that provide additional health care to local communities,” the spokesperson said.

GP Links Wide Bay, which represents local general practitioners, declined to comment.