Dr Gilford’s imminent retirement is a double blow to the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) as he takes with him his partner, Clinical Nurse Jo Wilson, who has been working alongside him for the past three years.

NWHHS Chief Executive, Lisa Davies Jones said his work at Mornington Island Hospital has been invaluable to the remote island community.

“They will both be sorely missed. Having a couple on our team, especially in our remote facilities, is such an advantage both for the Health Service and the people in our communities.

“Working in remote facilities doesn’t suit everyone, but Dr Chris and Nurse Jo have really taken on the challenge and we’re grateful to them,” Ms Davies Jones said.

Dr Gilford has been working for the NWHHS for 17 years and describes the job of Medical Superintendent as a combination of being a GP and seeing Emergency Department patients.

“It’s been a challenge, working in a remote area as a sole doctor with limited resources.

“The biggest challenge is the alcohol problem on the island; there’s an impasse as home brew is consumed in huge amounts.”

Dr Gilford sees the solution as a modification of the Alcohol Management Plan (AMP) which was introduced to Mornington Island in 2003 and prohibits any alcohol on the island.

Instead he believes controlled access should be allowed to mid-strength beer, while acknowledging that people need to take responsibility for their own health.

“None of the things we do here (at Mornington Island Hospital) can reverse the bad things you do to yourself.”

He finds it shocking, but not surprising, that the life expectancy of Indigenous people is 15 – 20 years less than non-Indigenous.

In spite of the troubling statistics, he has found medical practice on Mornington Island fascinating.

The retirement destination for the couple is Mangawhai Heads, north of Auckland, New Zealand.

Like Mornington Island, it is an idyllic seaside setting but not as remote as the Gulf of Carpentaria.