Patients of a bulk-billing GP in Canberra’s south have welcomed an operations lifeline but say longer-term protection and government intervention is necessary. A private operator has been secured, a week after the 'Interchange Health Cooperative' entered voluntary administration, along with a pre-election promise from federal labor.
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00:00At 75 years old with a multitude of complex health needs, including methadone treatment,
00:07Jude, who spoke to the ABC on condition of anonymity, always knew finding an empathetic,
00:13available and affordable GP would be a challenge.
00:17For about a year, Interchange Health Co-operative in Tuggernaung had checked every box.
00:22It took so long to find me, it took so long to get this worked out, to get a good program
00:30happening for me that was effective.
00:32That relief was cut short a week ago when the clinic entered voluntary administration
00:36and closed without warning, citing unaffordable operational costs.
00:41To get all of that in one clinic is rare and to have it just overnight disappear.
00:51I really didn't know what to do, I honestly think I was in shock.
00:56Administrators now say they've negotiated a licence agreement with a private operator,
01:00which will allow patient services to resume as the search continues for a buyer, while
01:05Federal Labor has pledged a $3.8 million investment if re-elected.
01:10That will cover a three year period and I think, but it is conditional on maintaining the full
01:18bulk billing.
01:19Jude welcomes the temporary reprieve but says permanent solutions, like a Federal financial
01:24safety net for bulk billing practices, should be considered.
01:27There has to be something in place that protects patients.
01:33The Canberra Liberals were contacted for comment but did not respond.
01:37The clinic's reopening date is yet to be determined.
01:40The Saturday.
01:53The Pets to the territory is by the Pets to the Korean Association, including the D.P.
01:56and the Pets to the Pets.
01:58The Pets to the Pets to the Pets, should be considered a C-Pets to the Pets.