A DOCTOR is being stationed one day a week at a Pioneer based family centre on a six week trial.
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Ngukuthati Children and Family Centre manager Monica Thomas said the centre was working with the GP Super Clinic.
The arrangement meant that GP Super Clinic Doctor Cielo Marquez will be based at the centre in Short Street from 9am every Wednesday.
The doctor will focus on children health, as the centre’s theme of Wednesday is child health day.
However, she was also available for general consultations.
Ms Thomas said the centre’s clients were delighted to have ready access to medical services each week, and that it had been well supported.
A doctor on-site was one of the needs of the centre and extended existing services which the Queensland Health’s Child and Maternal Team provided in Pioneer since the centre opened in 2014.
“It’s wonderful that we can now offer a full range of services to local families,” she said.
“The Child and Maternal Health Team will continue to provide immunisation and wellhealth checks while sick children are seen by Dr Marquez.
“Hopefully this service will flourish and grow.
“At this stage, it’s just a trial, but we’re hoping client takeup is such that it becomes permanent,” Ms Thomas said.
Ms Thomas said the connection between Ngukuthati and Mount Isa’s major health services was strong.
“Ngukuthati was purpose-built in the area where fewest people have access to transport, making it a hub for service providers,” Ms Thomas said.
The centre had a wide range of health professionals providing services, such as dietetics, speech therapy and diabetes education.
“However, the one service that we’ve been unable to provide in Pioneer, but which is the most needed, has always been a doctor,” she said.
“Sonic Health and Ngukuthati are both doing their utmost to work through the logistical challenges and provide Pioneer residents with easy access to high quality medical services,” she said.
