Condobolin will soon have access to increased local medical services with the planned reopening of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) South Eastern Medical Services on Melrose Street this month.

The previous centre closed its doors in 2019 with patient records and care transferred to Rural and Remote Medical Services (RaRMS) Health, located in the Condobolin District Hospital.

Unfortunately, due to the chronic shortage of permanent rural GPs, and the escalating cost of locum coverage, RaRMS was unable as a charity to afford to continue the program and it pulled out of the Western Plains in September last year.

Condobolin is the third GP clinic RFDS South East has assumed ownership of in just over a year, with GP clinics in Warren and Gilgandra opening in December 2022.

“We’re pleased to be able to expand our primary health services and support another community to retain their health care services,” RFDS General Manager Health Service, Jenny Beach said.

The practice will offer health care services including primary health, early intervention and prevention, health information and screening, and chronic disease management. Additional allied health services may be offered later by visiting specialists including mental health clinicians, podiatrists and dieticians.

Ms Beach said RFDS was grateful for the support of Lachlan Council, including allowing the use of the council-owned premises for the medical facility.

“Council is very happy to welcome the RFDS to Condobolin," Lachlan Shire Council Mayor Cr Paul Phillips said.

"The community are pleased to have such a trusted and well-respected organisation providing medical services in the town. Council trusts that the community will embrace and support the RFDS to ensure their faith in establishing this service is repaid.”

Bulk billing will be available for children under 16, pensioners and health care card holders, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Appointments will be available.

In order to provide certainty for the Condobolin community, the practice will charge a small fee for patients who are not eligible for bulk billing. Those fees will go back into providing services to the community.

Ms Beach offered thanks to the health care providers currently operating in the LGA.

“We would like to acknowledge the commitment of the existing healthcare providers and look forward to collaboration in delivering healthcare services to Condobolin and the surrounding region,” Ms Beach said.

“Despite the challenges of a shortage of medical professionals and rising costs in all areas, the RFDS is committed to rural, regional and remote communities having access to GP, allied health

and nursing services."

The RFDS has found that adding primary and preventive health care services into local areas has led to a reduction in emergency evacuations. Earlier identification and treatment mean health problems are less likely to worsen to the point where someone needs to be moved out of their community to a larger hospital.

“The RFDS is evolving to meet the needs of modern regional, rural and remote communities, and one way we can do this is to help communities save their General Practices," said Ms Beach.