PATIENTS visiting the Mount Isa Sonic HealthPlus Super Clinic last Tuesday might have been curious about the cheerful decorations across the waiting room set up by staff.
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The blue helium balloon in the shape of the number “1” was the obvious clue.
It has been one year since the clinic opened in Ryan Road.
Clinic manager Matthew Cain said it had achieved the goal set out by Sonic HealthPlus, which was to improve Mount Isa’s access to general practitioners.
Five full-time GPs and a variety of specialists, including occupational therapists, a dietician and psychologist, work under the same roof.
“Before we opened – anecdotally – people were waiting up to three weeks to see a GP,” Mr Cain said.
“In most cases, we fit them into 24 hours.”
Mr Cain said the clinic might have eased the numbers visiting the Mount Isa Hospital emergency ward at weekends – when the clinic was open.
The clinic’s distance from the central business district was of concern to some in the community when it first opened, but Mr Cain said there were no issues.
Health services including the North and West Remote Health were “fantastic” when it came to providing bus services for the elderly.
The clinic also had a mobile scooter recharge point for patients.
Occupational therapist Brad Pritchard said his business had expanded since he moved into the clinic in January because of the advantages of networking.
After working as a health worker for mining companies, he started his own business in Mount Isa two years ago because he wanted his children to grow up in the town he called home.
“It’s really exciting to start a business and see it has become a success,” he said.