Last Friday afternoon, 31 March 2023 Lachlan Shire Council took possession of the Melrose Medical Centre.

At the March Council meeting held on 22 March 2023, Council resolved to terminate the lease with Brenshaw Medical due to the continuing substantial breaches of the lease by Brenshaw, despite attempts for more than a year to resolve the issues.

Lachlan Shire Council General Manager, Greg Tory, said that the decision was not made lightly, but given the circumstances was a necessary cause of action.

“The issue had been ongoing for over 12 months and we had been working with the medical centre to try to resolve those issues unsuccessfully,” said Mr Tory. 

“The decision was also supported by direct comments from some members of the community about the unsatisfactory service being provided,” he said. 

While Condobolin is not left without a medical centre, as the Condobolin Aboriginal Health Service and the Condobolin District Hospital both have doctors and nursing staff available, it is a temporary inconvenience for patients of the practice. 

Though, Mr Tory says the community shouldn’t have to wait too long for a new practice to become established. 

 “Council is in communication and conversation with other medical service providers who are interested in establishing a practice at that location,” he said. 

Many members of the community, however, have raised concerns around access to medical records held by Brenshaw Medical. 

“The legislation around medical records is that they must be held by a registered medical service provider so they’re not something that council can own or manage for the community, it’s a responsibility of the practice to keep those records,” informed Mr Tory. 

Mr Tory also said that the transition of the centre to a new service provider may include some discussion and negotiation around the transfer of those records, but that council has no authority over that proceeding. 

“We’ve been suggesting that people should contact other medical centres operated by Brenshaw medical to try and get some information regarding access to those records,” he said. 

The Lachlan Shire Council have apologised to the community for taking this action, but have advised that arrangements will be made for Laverty Pathology to continue operating from the building.