Council's 'call to arms' over medical crisis

Whitsunday Regional Council Acting Mayor Mike Brunker has issued a “call to arms” after reports that Bowen’s medical practitioners could be reduced by almost 25 per cent.

Cr Brunker said a long-running medical centre in Bowen, which currently has over 5700 active patients, has signalled plans to cease operations later this year due to staff shortages and difficulties attracting medical professionals to the region.

“I understand that this is a Federal and State government issue and Council’s hands are tied on public health matters, but our role is to be a loud voice that advocates for our community.

“With the support of my Councillors, I will be contacting Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath to explore avenues to assist regional communities like ours,” he said.

“Reducing the doctors in a regional town by up to 25 per cent is verging on a medical crisis that will have major impacts on the liveability of our community.

“The Whitsundays is a great place to live, work and play and even more so in the post-covid era, so we just need to get the word out that there is a demand for qualified medical professionals.”

Cr Brunker said on a Federal scale, Council was also backing a call by James Cook University (JCU) for an increase of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for its Medical Schools in Townsville, Mackay and Cairns.

“This would enable the delivery of end-to-end medical training from years one-to-six in the region – not just in Townsville.

“A secondary aim is to build a substantial pipeline of willing domestic medical graduates who will pursue regional and rural careers.”