An announcement on the new operator of the Gunnedah rural health centre is set to be made in the coming weeks, nine months after the clinic closed its doors.
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It's been a long time coming for the centre, and it appears that it may re-open after years of constant uncertainty and struggles.
Parkes MP Mark Coulton said the last he had heard was that the new operators were in the "final stages of getting the contract signed up".
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When the Namoi Valley Independent inquired as to who this may be, Mr Coulton said he was unable to say.
"It's been a bit disappointing that I haven't been able to indicate who is taking it on but I think we're very close," he said.
He did say he was confident that the new operators would secure the clinic's future, and would mean "Gunnedah will get the services in the long term".
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey was pleased that a resolution had been reached.
"The community desperately misses the services provided [at the clinic] so I'm looking forward to an announcement hopefully in the coming weeks that will give the community certainty as to the direction of the facility," Cr Chaffey said.
"The community has a strong investment in the facility and many people are eagerly awaiting what the outcome will be."
He said he would be representing the view points of the community in "future discussions with state and federal members in relation to the facilities".
A Department of Health spokesperson said the announcement would be "positive" for locals.
"During 2019 and into 2020 the Health Department has been in frequent contact with the owners of the Mackellar Rural Health Centre in the lead up to, and decision to close the clinic in late 2019," the spokesperson said.
"Since then, the department has been working with a number of interested parties and the owners of the Mackellar Rural Health Centre to consider sustainable options to continue to deliver health services for the community."
The Mackellar Rural Health Centre closed in October 2019, after Mackellar Care Services failed to find a permanent GP.
The clinic was built in 2012 with funding from the state and federal governments, community fundraisers and mining companies.
The land is leased from Hunter New England Health.
Jessica Worboys
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
