Cure for island’s doc crisis

MAGNETIC Island’s doctor woes have been handed a remedy with a Townsville doctor pledging his commitment to deliver quality medical care to the region.

Veteran Townsville doctor Dr Michael Clements officially took over the reins of the Magnetic Island Medical Practice on Friday and relaunched the business yesterday.

Magnetic Island has battled through a doctor shortage this year after the medical centre was unable to recruit medical practitioners to the island.

Dr Clements said he had been working with the Townsville University Hospital and JCU to fix the shortage problem.

“When we found out Magnetic Island was struggling we started to look and see how we might be able to help,” he said.

It is hoped the medical practice will be home to five doctors in the near future with three doctors beginning at the practice in a staggered start.

Magnetic Island Medical Practice is the third medical centre in Dr Clements’ portfolio, operating Fairfield Central Practice and Townsville Central Medical Practice.

Dr Clements said embedding doctors into the local community while expanding the services on the island was his main focus.

“We have made a commitment to source long-term doctors and our doctors will be able to rotate from the mainland if needed,” he said. “We have a young doctor and his family who are moving to the island ... and JCU has offered a trainee doctor.”

The medical centre will offer general consultations, women’s health, mental health and a fortnightly skin cancer doctor.