PORTER AIMS TO STOP SUDDEN CLOSURES

Today, Mary Porter, Member for Ginninderra, moved a motion in response to the abrupt closure of the Kippax Family Practice. Ms Porter called on the Government to investigate possible legislative responses that could be pursued to ensure that patients are afforded an appropriate period of notice.

“I really feel for the people who are patients of Doctors at the Kippax Family Practice. There have obviously been cases where some people have been attending the clinic for a long time and have established a trusting relationship that cannot be easily replaced. Such a sudden change would be traumatic for many of the patients who were serviced by the Kippax Family Centre,” Ms Porter said.

“What I find the most disturbing is the lack of notice that was given to these patients. The staff members were informed two weeks ago that the clinic was closing, late on Tuesday afternoon, 17 March. By the next day, the doors were locked, seemingly with little consideration for those patients who had appointments the following day.”

Primary Health Care, the corporate owner of the Kippax Family Practice, sent an area manager to the practice on 17 March, to inform staff of its decision. The locks were changed the next day, ensuring that staff had no access to the clinic and no capacity to attend to patients on site.

“My Government will investigate possible legislative responses that can be pursued that would ensure that patients are afforded an appropriate period of notice in instances such as this,” Ms Porter said.

“I find it regrettable that the Government is required to address a situation where people have been taken for granted by a corporate entity that has afforded them little consideration. As a consequence, we will look at a formulation that would limit the chances that this situation will be repeated in the future.”

Ms Porter moved the motion in the Legislative Assembly today. Minister for Health, Ms Katy Gallagher, spoke in support of Ms Porter’s motion.