Following a comment by Jenny McKay in the October edition of the Hinterland Times, a spokesman from the Mapleton Medical Centre has reassured patients that there is no intention to close the Kenilworth surgery on a permanent basis.
Councillor McKay had suggested there was no medical presence in Kenilworth, whereas GPs from the Mapleton Medical Centre have been meeting the needs of Kenilworth residents for many years.
Dr Ian Matthews from Mapleton told the Hinterland Times that, “as a result of increased demand, Mapleton Medical Centre has not always been able to provide a GP for Kenilworth surgery. This situation will be resolved with the appointment of a fifth GP at Mapleton”.
“We have cared for the Kenilworth community since 1982,” added Dr Matthews, “and we’ve attended surgery despite floods, and even when bridges have been washed away. We have a strong commitment to the community, and will continue to provide medical care.”
Dr Matthews explained there is a national shortage of doctors especially in rural areas, and Australia often relies on overseas trained doctors to fill the gaps.
“These doctors often require on-site supervision, and cannot work alone at Kenilworth or do any after hours work. This makes finding the right person to join our practice harder.”
Dr Matthews said the Mapleton Medical Centre had recently been renovated and now had room for five full-time GPs. The practice nurses have a new assessment room for preventative care including pap smears, asthma, diabetes and aged care assessments, in addition to a renovated dressings and treatment room. There’s also a new minor operations room and an after hours consulting room underway.
To meet growing demand, the Mapleton surgery has also extended the period of appointments from 8.30 to 5.30 on weekdays, and 8.30 to 11.30am on Saturdays. Saturday appointments are only available to patients of the Mapleton and Kenilworth surgeries.
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