This rural town has 2,000 people and, soon, not a single GP

Moura, a rural town of 2,000 residents, is set to lose its only permanent general practitioner (GP) within the week. Health advocates have been warning for months that the workload of the sole doctor was unsustainable. The town, located in Central Queensland, has faced challenges in retaining medical staff, with the current GP, 82-year-old Marie Cherry, battling incurable breast cancer.

Cherry expressed fear that a doctor might not be available when she truly needs one. The town, situated two hours from Rockhampton, has long struggled to maintain a consistent medical workforce. Rod Martin, a locum and president of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, highlighted the extensive health needs of the town, which had not had a regular doctor for an extended period.

Kyarah Williams, a former Moura resident, recounted a distressing experience with the hospital, where her baby was sent home with inadequate care. Health advocate Debbie Elliott had been advocating for more temporary doctors to support the permanent GP, but her pleas were reportedly unheeded. Elliott resigned from her role as chair of the local community advisory group, expressing dismay at the health service's apparent lack of response.

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service stated they were actively recruiting candidates for medical officer positions and remained committed to engaging with the Moura community. The town has allocated funding for two doctors, and the service will continue to seek locum support as permanent staff recruitment progresses. Nearby Theodore has had more success retaining medical workers, attributing it to training a steady stream of medical students and offering them expanded scope of practice. The practice owners hope Moura can find a unique solution to attract and retain a doctor.