Hanson not getting over it - Launches inquiry into GP services

True QBN Gal, the health centre at the back of the Kippax centre being a prime example of a government run centre. Not 100% sure though if the doctors were employed by the gov, or just rented offices in there though. Ironic too as Dr Cookman once had an office in this centre before moving to the shopping centre clinic was part of the recent closure at Kippax. I understand though he will now be operating from a new clinic in Belconnen.

Many, many years ago (probably about 25 years ago) there were health centres in a number of suburbs that were manned by government employed GP’s. Then the govt. ( in it’s wisdom LOL) decided that they wanted them all to run their own private practices so they rented the space out to them for some years, before eventually turfing them out into their own buildings.

Baby health clinics are not keeping up with the demand of
Canberra’s baby boom, and there now is a two month waiting period for an appointment. Not much use when you are meant to track the weight of an underweight newborn weekly.

They also have ‘drop in day’ which is a 2 hour period a week, consisting of 12 appointments, where you take a number and wait. Unfortunately all numbers are taken in the first 5 minutes, then they put up the closed sign.

But when you can’t get an appointment, they say ‘no worries, pop along to the drop in clinic’ as if it’s a guarantee of seeing someone.

This will no doubt get even worse as more and more GPs close up shop.

+1

All I can remember is baby health clinics without a multi-month waiting time and the travel clinic in Civic Health building. No general surgeries in that.

Johnboy’s post implies that we used to have government operated clinics. I have no knowledge of the history of this issue so could somebody fill me in on the who, what, when and why of the change?