Tenders close for Quirindi doctor positions

01 March 2010

Tenders for the provision of permanent medical services to the Quirindi Health Service have closed, with three separate submissions resulting from the national advertising campaign.

Hunter New England Health hopes the tender process may lead to up to four doctors being appointed and providing long-term services to the Quirindi community.

The intent is for doctors to work side-by-side with other clinicians to provide a range of services for primary health and General Practice. In addition, the doctors will provide 24 hour cover for the emergency department and inpatient beds at Quirindi Community Hospital.

Applications will now undergo a stringent evaluation process to ensure a high quality service is provided for the community. This process may take approximately four to six weeks, with an appointment expected to be made in mid-April. 

It is anticipated that building works for the HealthOne Quirindi will commence in mid-March. As an interim arrangement, any successful tenderer will be offered space at Quirindi Health Service, enabling them to provide GP services to the community in the short-term. They will then relocate to the HealthOne Quirindi facility once opened in 2011.

Upper Hunter Cluster General Manager Dr Debbie Jaggers said that by appointing an experienced organisation to find doctors to work in Quirindi, dependable, accessible and sustainable medical services will hopefully be guaranteed for locals.

“The process of attracting doctors to rural areas is highly competitive, and we believe this new way of recruiting doctors will enable us to improve access to health services for the local community in an innovative way,” Dr Jaggers said.

Initial earthworks on the new, integrated HealthOne facility began recently, with stage-one building works due to start within the next four weeks. The planned completion date for HealthOne Quirindi is April 2011.

 “The HealthOne Quirindi facility will enable GPs, nursing and allied health staff to work closely together. This new way of providing healthcare is expected to attract doctors and other key staff to the local area,” Dr Jaggers said.

Hunter New England Health will continue its work with relevant stakeholders including Liverpool Plains Shire Council, the North West Slopes Division of GPs and the Rural Doctors Network, on planning for a better health future for Quirindi.

Contact: Carisa Green, (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183

Phone: Carisa Green, (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183