Far North residents call for health services shakeup
Hundreds of Leigh Creek residents have signed a petition demanding the Royal Flying Doctor Service take over its health clinic, three years after a nearly $6 million services revamp.
Residents in the state’s Far North have launched a petition calling for improved healthcare access after a GP pulled out of Leigh Creek following 38 years of service.
More than 400 people have signed the petition, organiser Hannah Morcomb saying that changing to a Royal Flying Doctor Service-operated clinic would give the community better health outcomes.
The Leigh Creek Health Clinic underwent an SA Health-led $5.89 million revamp in 2023, with the intention to continue providing the community with accessible health services, including 24/7 emergency services, SA Ambulance stations, and a GP-operated pharmacy.
The community was concerned about limited appointment availability, minimal services offered, difficulty accessing timely care, inconsistent staffing, and challenges accessing ongoing medical support. Currently, local services consist of two nurses who provide 24/7 on-call care, and Telehealth sessions with a GP.
“There’s two nurses that are there, they’re great, but they can’t do stitches, they can’t get the flu shot, immunisations for kids…it’s useless, really,” Morcomb said.
“We believe the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has extensive experience in delivering healthcare services to rural and remote communities across Australia and may provide a more sustainable and responsive healthcare model for Leigh Creek.”
Dr Clive Hume, OAM, was the local GP at Leigh Creek for 38 years, conducting a fly-in, fly-out service. Awarded the Medal of Australia for services to medicine in 2023, he has extensive experience working in rural and regional communities. He was also a previous Clinical Director for General Practice for the RFDS SA and NT divisions.
“When I decided to withdraw from Leigh Creek I did contact the RFDS and spoke to the CEO about the situation,” he said.
“The CEO was keen to assist and there does not seem to be any doubt that the RFDS will be willing to provide a service to Leigh Creek.”
Last year, Dr Hume advised Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network that he would no longer operate a pharmacy service, would no longer conduct monthly in-person clinics at Leigh Creek and would instead provide telehealth consultations.
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network CEO Craig Packard said, “Leigh Creek Health Service staffing levels have not changed and remain at the appropriate level, consistent with other remote area clinics, including the RFDS-run clinics which are also nurse-led.”
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Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer was contacted for comment as well and said, “As someone who grew up in the country, I know how important access to quality healthcare in regional communities is.”
“The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network provides an equivalent health service to those provided by the RFDS in other locations. The service delivered by the Local Health Network has been consistent over many years.
“It’s disappointing that the previous private GP has changed his service, including no longer operating a pharmacy service. In response, the Local Health Network has secured continued access to medicines through twice-weekly deliveries by the Quorn Pharmacy.
“The Local Health Network will continue to ensure Leigh Creek has access to medical services.”
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