New doc opens doors
Cecil Plains residents claim victory in long fight for new GP clinic
CECIL Plains residents have claimed victory in their ninemonth fight for a new GP clinic with the centre opening yesterday.
Chief supporter Sandy Kingshott petitioned the Queensland Government and Darling Downs Health for the clinic, and said she was overjoyed to see the first patients walk through its doors.
“Everyone is so happy and it is a welcome addition back to the town,” she said.
The clinic will be serviced by two doctors on a weekly rotation from the Toowoomba Hospital.
Importantly, the clinic will also host the town’s muchloved nurse Liz Waugh.
“She was our registered nurse practitioner, and it is wonderful that she has returned,” Ms Kingshott said.
“That is want we were after, and having the two doctors is a bonus.”
The clinic will be housed in the Anglicare Cecil Plains Bush Nursing Services building, off Geraghty St.
On June 22, Deputy Premier Steven Miles confirmed Darling Downs Health would open the clinic, but delays with the building fit-out and establishing a secure internet connection for telehealth services pushed it back.
“They had problems with the building right up until Friday,” Ms Kingshott said.
Cecil Plains has been without a doctor since December, after the Millmerran Medical Centre closed its door.
With no GP nearby, residents were forced to make lengthy trips into Toowoomba, Millmerran and Dalby for medical appointments.
Ms Kingshott launched a petition for the clinic that gathered more than 600 signatures.
michael.nolan@thechronicle.com.au