One small step for GP super clinic

A NewsMail report on the issues with the clinic.

AFTER almost three years of waiting the $5 million GP super clinic promised by Kevin Rudd and Nicola Roxon is one step closer.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Ageing said the department was currently in negotiations with the “preferred applicant” to establish the clinic.

The announcement came despite reports no applicants had been successful in the process.

It is not known if the preferred applicant is from Bundaberg.

“An announcement on the funding recipient will be made once negotiations are successfully concluded and a funding agreement signed,” he spokesperson said.

“Details of the GP super clinic funding recipient will then be published on the GP Super Clinic website.”

The announcement the super clinic has a preferred applicant is the furthest the project has come since it was announced during the 2007 election campaign.

Since that time, one application process has already failed.

After moving to find a local solution, the department found it had a lot of interest and sought proposals under a second application process.

Member for Hinkler Paul Neville said he was concerned the model chosen was not right for the region, with only two of the 36 clinics promised nationwide operational according to Senate estimates.

“I think it’s evidence that not enough thought had been put into the original model,” he said.

“Whatever the case is, I think that it should be resolved sooner rather than later.”

Mr Neville said he had never been a fan of the first model proposed and supported any changes to the model as long as they were in the best interest of the Bundaberg community.

While the building of the super clinic has taken a small step, the private after-hours medical clinic proposed for Bundaberg Plaza has hit a snag.

Angaet Property Management had originally planned to open a clinic in the centre in March or April but has been held up getting the approvals needed to run a medical centre.

“The medical centre is definitely going ahead, however we cannot give an approximate date we will have approval,” property manager Tracy Warren said.