A Central Queensland town of 3,000 people has lost its only permanent GP and hospital doctor after he was suspended by the local health service.<\/p>\n
Tim Lane announced in a Facebook post on Monday he would permanently close the doors of his GP clinic at Clermont, 380 kilometres west of Rockhampton, this Friday.<\/p>\n
In a statement to the ABC, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) said Dr Lane was suspended “pending the outcome of a serious workplace matter”.<\/p>\n
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff is a priority \u2026 there is zero tolerance for unacceptable or unsafe behaviour,” chief executive Sean Birgan said in the statement.<\/p>\n
MHHS did not respond to questions about why Dr Lane was suspended.<\/p>\n
The suspension follows an earlier dispute over MHHS’s decision not to renew Dr Lane’s lease for the GP practice when it was due to expire next month.<\/p>\n
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Clermont Hospital will again rely on locum doctors to fill the gap in healthcare. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)<\/p>\n
Mr Birgan said the health service offered to work with Dr Lane to explore alternative opportunities for the continued operation of the general practice clinic.<\/p>\n
“We respect Dr Lane’s decision not to accept this,” Mr Birgan said.<\/p>\n
Dr Lane declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Uncertain future for residents<\/p>\n
Dr Lane’s absence will leave the rural town without a permanent doctor at the hospital and no GP clinic.<\/p>\n
He was recruited in 2024 and was Clermont Hospital’s first permanent doctor in six years.<\/p>\n
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Clermont resident Maree Bauer is considering moving from the town. (Supplied: Maree Bauer)<\/p>\n
Retiree Maree Bauer has lived in the Isaac region for more than two decades but said the uncertainty had made her question staying in Clermont.<\/p>\n
“I was happy to live out my life here and know I’ve got a good doctor and a good hospital if anything happens, God forbid,” she said.<\/p>\n
“But now I’m thinking about selling in the new year.”<\/p>\n
In its statement MHHS said it would continue to provide emergency care and would prioritise the sickest and most vulnerable patients.<\/p>\n
“Every person who presents to the hospital will be seen and assessed for treatment,” it said.<\/p>\n
The health service said virtual services and locum doctors would be used.<\/p>\n
“While general practice services fall under the responsibility of the Commonwealth, we remain committed to exploring opportunities for the continued operation of a GP clinic and this has been confirmed during meetings held both in Clermont and Mackay,” Mr Birgan said.<\/p>\n
Dispute over hospital attendance<\/p>\n
Earlier this year there was a disagreement between the MHHS and Dr Lane over the hours to be worked at the hospital and aged care facility Montcler.<\/p>\n
That requirement was suspended for three months as MHHS and community members in Clermont worked on a new long-term model for primary and urgent care.<\/p>\n