MOUNT Isa residents will now have access to seven-day-a-week health care at one of the city’s medical centres.
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State Member for Mount Isa Rob Katter has lauded the new improved GP service at the southern end of the city, supporting Dr Michael Mbaogu, who took over Dr Leanne Francis’ GP practice at the end of last year.
“The Super Clinic received $7 million of taxpayers’ money to help establish that service at the other end of town, and Dr Michael hasn’t received any government funding, so I think his efforts to enhance this service deserve some recognition,” Mr Katter said.
Dr Mbaogu said he had extended and rebranded his practice, Mount Isa Medical Centre, considerably, so staffing now includes two exercise physiologists, two psychologists, five GPs and a visiting orthopaedic surgeon.
“We are very privileged to have the services of Mount Isa orthopaedic surgeon Regan Brosnan, who is based in Brisbane, but who travels to Mount Isa to see private patients at our clinic.”
Dr Mbaogu pointed out there is no other orthopaedic surgeon in Mount Isa, not even at the hospital.
“If the patient needs surgery they will fly to Brisbane, and those travel costs are paid for by the Government.
“Dr Brosnan will then carry out follow-up meetings with the patient in Mount Isa, so there is no further need for travel for the patient,” Dr Mbaogu said.
“Dr Michael’s goal is to improve access to GP services in Mount Isa, and I commend him for that.”
Patients now have access to GPs through his clinic seven days a week, with opening hours Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 2pm.
Dr Mbaogu said the clinic, which has 5000 active patients, was also a training practice, catering for nursing and medical students from James Cook University and Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health. He lectures at JCU-MICRRH.
“That is in line with my desire to see local people trained up and working in the bush, rather than seeking to work on the coast,” Dr Mbaogu said.
Pensioners, children under 16 years of age, health care card holders, and patients returning for results review are all bulk billed at the Mount Isa Medical Centre.