GP switch outcry

By Dion Teasdale
UPPER Yarra township and church groups have reacted angrily to news that an after-hours GP clinic earmarked for Yarra Junction is unlikely to become a reality.
The reaction came after the Mail revealed last week that the Eastern Ranges GP Association (ERGPA) had applied to the Federal Government to run a $500,000-a-year mobile GP service instead.
ERGPA chief executive Kristin Michaels told the Mail that $500,000 would fund, on an annual basis, one GP protected by a security guard and equipped with a satellite phone who could make after-hours house calls along the Warburton Highway using 4WD vehicle.
She said that if the funding application, believed to have the support of Federal McEwen MP Fran Bailey, was successful, the after-hours GP clinic Ms Bailey announced for Yarra Junction last year would be unlikely to proceed.
The news has triggered outrage from Upper Yarra township groups who are planning to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the development and has drawn strong criticism of Ms Bailey.
River Valley Church pastor Andy Bennett said he was concerned about the plan to service the after-hours GP needs of the Upper Yarra with a mobile doctor.
“My initial response to the plan was that it was meant to be comical but the only thing not funny about it is that it’s true,” he said.
Mr Bennett said it was beyond belief that the after-hours clinic he said was promised for Yarra Junction was now being taken off the table.
“We were assured less than a year ago that we’d get an after-hours GP service in the Upper Yarra and this is just adding insult to injury,” he said.
Mr Bennett said he was disappointed that the clinic had been scuttled but said he was not surprised.
“Once again the Upper Yarra is missing out while the Healesville arm of the Yarra Valley has been doing nicely. We need to see more representation in the Upper Yarra from our federal member. This is not satisfactory,” he said.
Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) president, Maureen Halit labelled the plan as crazy and a waste of taxpayers money.
“This is another kick in the butt for the Upper Yarra and it is demoralising for our communities. We deserve much better than this,” she said.
Ms Halit said she would call a special meeting with representatives of Yarra Junction township group, Upper Yarra Community Voice, and Warburton township group, Bridge 3799. “This is a ridiculous plan and we need to put our heads together and see what we can do. I think the Federal Government will be throwing away $500,000 if they fund this idea. What we need is the after-hours clinic Fran told us we would get,” she said.
Upper Yarra Community Voice president Glennice Mathers said: “This makes me feel sick. We were told last October that the second part of Fran Bailey’s plan was to have an after hours clinic in Yarra Junction. Where has that gone?” she said.
“Fran said we would see a clinic in Yarra Junction in 12 months. She was definite about it and now it’s gone down the gurgler.”
Ms Mathers said the mobile GP proposal was unrealistic and unworkable and sent a negative message to Upper Yarra communities.
She said Ms Bailey needed to visit the Upper Yarra and experience first-hand the after hours-medical needs of communities.
A spokeswoman for Ms Bailey’s office said that at this stage any further information should come from the ERGPA.Ms Michaels said she believed the mobile GP plan was “the best solution” for the region considering shortage of GPs.
She also said she would be happy to meet township groups to discuss their concerns and outline the benefits of the mobile GP proposal in detail.