Balo Street Medical Centre will reopen its doors today, just a few short days after the shock closure of the practice on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Moree community was left shocked on Friday when the medical centre announced that it had closed its doors to staff and the public immediately and indefinitely, due to circumstances beyond the control of owner Dr Les Woollard.
No further information was provided, due to legal reasons, as to why the medical centre had to shut so suddenly, however Dr Woollard's daughter Dr Nicola Doogan said the family were heartbroken after 40 years of service.
READ ALSO:
However, in an unexpected turn of events, a new owner has come on board to save the practice from indefinite closure.
The interstate purchaser, a female obstretrician GP, is set to come on board shortly.
Dr Les Woollard will be joined by Dr Morgan, Dr Dennett, Dr Ghazi and Dr Hlaing, in addition to the new female GP.
"Together with my three sons and daughter, my wife Michelle and I have been working tirelessly over the weekend to ensure Balo Street Medical Centre could be reopened," Dr Woollard said.
"Closing the practice last week was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do, however it was unfortunately a decision beyond my control.
"I have lived and worked in Moree for 40 years, and the patients of Balo Street Medical Centre have always come first."
Dr Woollard said the new GP will be a vital asset to the Moree community.
"She has over 10 years' experience in the medical industry and is an experienced obstetrician with the added capability to perform caesarean sections," he said.
"I am very much looking forward to introducing our new GP to the Moree community."
The surgery will be open for appointments again this morning, however will be running with skeleton staff for a short period.
Dr Woollard thanked the Moree community for their understanding and support throughout the short closure.
"Together with our nursing and administration staff, I look forward to continuing the 40 years of service Balo Street Medical Centre has given the Moree community," he said.
Former doctors to form new practice
Meanwhile, the former doctors of Balo Street Medical Centre have released a statement to reassure the Moree community that they are here to stay, following much concern and speculation over the future state of the medical workforce.
"We would like to take this opportunity to let the community know that the majority of the doctors formerly working at the now closed Balo St practice are all still very much here in town and have no intention of leaving any time soon," Dr Callum Fealy, speaking on behalf of the former Balo St doctors, said.
"We all live in Moree and consider ourselves part of the community. We are committed to continuing to serve the community, particularly right now during these tough times that people are facing with the ongoing lack of rain.
"Over the weekend there has been wild rumours circulating of doctors facing disciplinary proceedings. Let me take this opportunity to categorically state now, these rumours are unfounded and no issues with the health regulator bodies are currently outstanding with any doctor that we are aware of."
Dr Fealy said the former doctors are currently working on plans to continue to provide care to Moree and surrounds both in the immediate, short term and long term and have been working closely with the Moree Health Service and Moree Plains Shire Council.
"This week we will be staffing the Emergency Department with an extra doctor each day, who will see people for urgent matters that cannot wait for more than a few days," Dr Fealy said.
"During this period, there will be no appointments available, people will be triaged in the emergency department in the usual manner, before being seen according to clinical priority. We will not be performing immunisations during this period.
"We also need to make it clear that we have no access to Balo St medical records. For anything other than a very simple matter we are strongly advising patients to first contact Balo St and obtain a health summary and any relevant specialist letters and investigation. Please bring these with you when you see us. The more information we have available, the better we can help you."
The former doctors expect to have a new practice up and running again for routine booked appointments within a week or two.
In the meantime, in an effort to address patients' questions and concerns regarding their immediate issues such as booked Skype appointments in the next one to two weeks with specialists and other questions, the doctors have set up an interim email address: formerdrsofbalostreet@gmail.com. Their practice manager Sarah Francis will be monitoring this email and will do her best to assist. Sarah can also be contacted on 0474 888 748 between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
"We would also all like to take this opportunity to thank the community for the support that you have shown us over the last few days and ask for your ongoing patience and understanding while we strive to get things up and running again," Dr Fealy said.
Patients who wish to access a copy of their medical record from Balo Street Medical Centre are encouraged to make a request in writing, either by themselves or their new General Practice with the patient's consent and signature. Requests need to include an address for the record to be forwarded to. Requests can be sent to PO BOX 690, Moree NSW 2400 or emailed to balostreetqueries@gmail.com.
Other medical centres respond to closure
Associate Medical Practice, commonly known as Frome Street Medical Centre, and Eyra Medical and Skin Clinic have also issued statements regarding the closure of Balo Street Medical Centre, before it was known that the practice was reopening.
"Our current patients are our first priority, but we will endeavour to help provide medical services to the former the patients of Balo Street Medical Practice," Associate Medical Practice practice manager Melinda Marshall said, on behalf of Dr Nicholas Boyd.
"We are working with the local health service in order to ameliorate any disruption to patient care."
Eyra Medical and Skin Clinic clinical director Dr Gabrielle Caswell said Eyra is able to accept new patients.
"The priority, I am sure for all the remaining medical practitioners in town, is to look after as many patients as we can, in a safe and orderly fashion," she said.
"Our procedure is to present to clinic and complete and registration form, and the necessary form for notes transfer, if you take any medications please call by your pharmacy and gain a list, this will help out greatly for the reissue of scripts.
"On Easter Saturday we will run an extra clinic for those patients registered with Eyra Medical, so that all scripts can be brought up to date."