GP SHUTS AS STAFF SHUN JAB

Surgery forced to close leaving 1000 people without a doctor as some employees won’t vaccinate:

STAFF at medical centres have a responsibility to get the Covid vaccination to protect themselves and vulnerable patients, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Tasmania chair Dr Tim Jackson says.

It follows revelations the Cental Highlands General Practice in the town of Ouse, north of Hobart will be closing because staff are refusing to get vaccinated.

Central Highlands Mayor Loueen Triffitt said the local community has been devastated by the decision and the loss of a practice with 10 staff.

“There are 1200 patients affected without anywhere to go to a GP or to a pharmacy to fill a script,” Ms Triffitt said.

The state government has made it mandatory for all health care workers to receive their first vaccination by October 31.

Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the health directive was paramount to ensure the protection of health workforce and the protection of vulnerable patients in their care. “This critical step of mandatory vaccination in healthcare settings is about protecting the public, and we do not take it lightly.”

Practice manager Susan Swart confirmed the medical centre would be closing at the end of the October but would not comment further.

“The practice will not be able to continue. People are not able to meet the requirements as suggested by the mandate,” she said.

Ms Triffit said patients travelled to the practice from across the region as far afield as Bronte Park and Derwent Bridge.

“I support the mandate, but in this … case when you are going to have 1200 patients who have nowhere to go there is room for the government to relax it,” Ms Triffitt said.

“We are going to lose a vital practice in a remote area, this is a stand alone issue.”

Dr Jackson (inset) said while the closure of practice would be a great loss for the community there was should be no exceptions to the public health directive.

“It’s important practice staff are vaccinated because they could contract Covid themselves and they could also pass it on to patients who may have underlying conditions that make them more susceptible and could also have more serious consequences.”

“We are taught first of all do no harm and that relates to your patients, and irrespective of personal beliefs you have to act in a way that is deemed appropriate by your colleagues.”

Local resident Annette Jenkins says she will now have to travel two hours to receive care in Kempton.

The 57-year-old lives alone and has polymyalgia rheumatica disease, requiring her to see a general practitioner regularly.

“There are others worse off than me, others older than me, others who have been going there all their lives,” she said.

Mr Rockliff said the Department of Health will consider how it may support an alternate provider to operate in the area including through the continued provision of premises.