Uralla Mayor Rob Bell and patients have added their voice to the call from local MPs Adam Marshall and Barnaby Joyce for the federal government to intervene and keep the Uralla Medical Centre open.
The Uralla Medical Centre is facing permanent closure as soon as this month, following a paperwork issue that resulted in Medicare denying approximately $120,000 in block funding to the small clinic run by Uralla’s only full time GP, Dr Ricardo Alkhouri.
State Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, and federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, both sprang into action at the news, writing urgent letters to federal Health Minister Mark Butler asking him to intervene and save the clinic.
The Uralla Mayor, Robert Bell, has now added his letter to the mounting pile in Mr Butler’s inbox.
“This is an extremely concerning issue for the community,” Mayor Bell said.
“I’ll be writing to add my support to the call from Adam Marshall and Barnaby Joyce.”
Mayor Bell said the issue highlighted the need to review the whole mix of how we provide rural health services.
“The biggest challenge for us here in Uralla is that we have a lot of pensioners, they all need regular access to the doctor, and there is no taxi in Uralla.”
“There is a community bus that can take them to medical appointments, but they won’t be able to cope with taking people to Armidale.”
He added that Dr Alkhouri also provides crucial services to the village’s aged care centre, McMaugh Gardens.
“We have the two other part time doctors, but they aren’t going to be able to fill the gap, and it’s not the same,” Mayor Bell said.
Patients have also said it won’t be the same without a full time doctor in Uralla.
Patient Donna Brannigan said the stress and fear of having to force herself to go to Armidale and find a new doctor has her anxiety at an all time high.
“Dr Ricardo Alkouri is amazing with me because if I make an appointment to visit him and my anxiety kicks in and won’t let me leave my driveway, I can call up and he will do a phone consult.”
“The other doctor surgery is no use to me, one doctor works 3 days and the other only works 2 days.”
“He is also caring and understands me and my complex ways and my son’s as well. He has been a great help to me personally,” Ms Brannigan said.
“From my personal perspective, this is extremely stressful and frightening for me as an individual who suffers CPTSD and extreme anxiety.”
“I feel safe and comfortable with Dr Ricardo. Please help us keep him, this is extremely upsetting. Please, you can’t let them take away our safety net and trust.”
Gorden Fuller, who with his wife Margaret have been lobbying for years for an acquired brain injury recovery unit in the area after retiring to the area, said it would be a tragedy to lose the popular doctor.
“Our daughter Fiona, aged 53 with aquired brain injury and restricted in a wheelchair, being cared for in Tamworth 24/7, found it extremely difficult (through her carers) to obtain early Covid 19 injections without being in long queues in Tamworth.”
“Dr Ricardo offered to provide her with injections at his Uralla Clinic without waiting. The care staff drove Fiona from Oxley Vale in Tamworth to his Uralla Clinic (one and a half hours) 3 times for injections.
“He came out of his rooms as soon as Fiona arrived and gave her the injections whilst she was still in the transport vehicle,” Mr Fuller said.
“What a tragedy it would be to lose the Uralla Medical Centre when Dr Ricardo is so well respected and a true supporter of our vibrant community. Medicare, you have really fouled up here.”
A spokesperson for federal Health Minister Mark Butler said yesterday that the Minister’s office has tasked his Department to work with the Primary Health Network and local providers to look for a possible solution. Dr Alkhouri has declined to be interviewed but will do a Facebook live event on 22 January to discuss the situation with the community.
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