Imbil Medical Centre welcomed its first patients today, fulfilling a promise the Borumba Pumped Hydro operator made to re-open a GP clinic after the previous one closed in 2023.
Queensland Hydro’s Community Benefits Program partnered with the local primary health network, Country to Coast Queensland (CCQ) to restore the GP service.
For three years Queensland Hydro (QH) will cover rent and utilities for the clinic, co-located with QH’s Project Office at 6 Imbil Island Road, Imbil.
Doctor-owned and run clinic
The new Imbil Medical Centre is owned and operated by a partnership of doctors who run Southside and Channon Street Medical Centres in Gympie.
Imbil Medical Centre doctor Karl Berge-Venter (patients call me “Dr Karl”) said his Gympie practice was rostering four senior GPs to the Imbil Clinic from 8.30 to 5.00 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practice Manager is nurse Carolyn Ellis.
Dr Karl Berge-Venter at the Imbil Medical Centre. PHOTO: Vivienne Wynter
‘It’s a big ask to take four senior doctors out of a busy Gympie practice so this is a leap of faith,’ Dr Karl Berge-Venter said.
‘If the demand is there, we have capacity for two full-time doctors in Imbil. We could expand into allied health services such as physiotherapy and psychology.’
Dr Karl Berge-Venter said he was looking forward to working in Imbil.
‘I love the sense of community here. You can feel it,’ he said. ‘People are engaged and down to earth.’
Imbil Medical Centre Practice Manager Carolyn Ellis PHOTO: Vivienne Wynter
Imbil population likely to grow
‘We understand around 700 workers and their families will move to this area during the construction phase of Borumba Pumped Hydro.’
CCQ Director of Healthy Communities, Olivia Naughtin, played a key role in bringing back the GP service and encouraged the community to use it.
‘There does need to be community support to keep the Imbil Medical Centre going and sustainable in the future,’ Ms Naughtin said.
Demonstrated need
Ms Naughtin said research demonstrated the need for primary health care in Imbil and surrounds.
There are roughly 1000 people in Imbil and the region has a higher rate of chronic diseases than the state average.
Queensland Hydro CEO, Keiran Cusack, said restoring the GP clinic was part of a commitment to deliver long term benefit to communities hosting Borumba Pumped Hydro.
‘We know the return of a GP will be meaningful and deliver real benefits to residents in Imbil and the Mary Valley,’ Mr Cusack said.
About Imbil Medical Centre
The doctors will provide a range of medical services and have special interests including asthma, diabetes, health assessments, care plans, vaccinations (including travel), indigenous health, mental health and counselling, skin checks, sexual health and palliative care.
Bulk Billing is available for patients holding Pensioner Concession Cards, Veterans’ Cards, Healthcare Cards and for children under 16 and seniors over 65.
CCQ Chief Executive Julie Sturgess said the return of GP services was a milestone for the region’s primary healthcare system.
Partnership gets results
‘This partnership between Queensland Hydro, CCQ, Imbil residents and the local medical community demonstrates how collaborative solutions can strengthen healthcare access for rural communities.’
Appointments can be booked by calling 07 5308 4300 or book online here
IMAGE at top of story: Imbil Medical Centre doctor Karl Berge-Venter. PHOTO supplied by Country to Coast
