Goulburn Mulwaree Council is leading a push for information on a healthcare clinic’s closure. Photo: James Coleman.
Politicians’ letters about the closure of a regional healthcare clinic have been formally delivered to the council.
The Goulburn Urgent Care Service opened in August 2024 and was staffed by GPs and nurses. It closed on 30 June, after being open for just 10 months.
Earlier this year, Goulburn Mulwaree Council (GMC) renewed a push for more answers, writing to state and federal members to find out why the service was shut down.
The responses were formally received by councillors at a recent meeting.
In her letter to Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, Mayor Nina Dillon had written of the clinic’s use and said its closure increased demand on other healthcare services in the region.
This type of clinic is designed to reduce pressure on emergency departments, meaning people with non-emergency illnesses and injuries don’t head to an emergency department for treatment.
“The loss of this service leaves a significant gap in healthcare provisions across our region,” she wrote.
“It is imperative that residents of Goulburn Mulwaree receive clear and direct answers about decisions that impact their wellbeing. I urge you to consider this serious matter as a priority.”
A copy of the letter from Mr Butler’s office, written by his Chief of Staff Nick Martin on his behalf, was included in council documents for the meeting.
He wrote that the Federal Government acknowledged concerns raised by Goulburn residents, but the service received its funding from the NSW Government and they would be best placed to answer any questions.
Mr Martin also wrote that the government had allocated $1.4 billion across seven years to establish and operate 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, with 14 new clinics on the cards.
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain also wrote to the council, saying that she remained supportive of the service, despite its closure.
“My advocacy has been directed to the NSW Government, including representations to the Minister for Health and directly to the Premier, emphasising the critical need for such a service in our region and the need to explore potential avenues for its reinstatement.”
Several politicians have called for the service’s return. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman hit back over the Labor Government’s handling of the issue in her letter to GMC, saying healthcare pressures were “not unique” to Goulburn.
“Instead of delivering on their promises, the Labor Government has allowed this service to close, shifting the burden onto Goulburn Base Hospital which is already working beyond its budget and seeing overflow from metropolitan areas like Sydney and Canberra,” she wrote.
“It’s becoming an all too familiar pattern: regional health services are quietly withdrawn, leaving our community worse off, with fewer options, longer wait times, and overstretched resources.”
The clinic was co-located within Marima Medical Clinic and was delivered in partnership with the COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network.
A transcript of questions on notice Ms Tuckerman put to Mr Park in NSW Parliament was also included in the council papers.
In one answer, he said discussions with COORDINARE over the “continuous delivery” of the service in the Goulburn area were ongoing. A second response is due next month.
According to council documents, no direct response from the NSW Health Minister Ryan Park had been received before the meeting.
“Council staff have called his office following up on the matter and have been advised that the letter has been received and tasked to the appropriate staff member,” the agenda states.
Marima Medical Clinic remains open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. For a medical emergency, people should call triple zero or attend the emergency department at Goulburn Base Hospital.
