HUNTER New England Health (HNEH) is continuing to work to establish a GP service in the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre, however how long that will take is still unclear.
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There are three service providers interested in setting up shop in the clinic and it could take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months to finalise the process.
But in a positive step for the community, HNEH has committed to meeting with all three potential operators within the next two weeks to discuss their plans and chose their successful applicant.
HNEH's Executive Director of Regional and Rural Health Services Susan Heyman said in a statement on Thursday it is "committed to expediting the Gunnedah GP Expression of Interest (EOI) process".
"I'm pleased to advise evaluations of the initial proposals from GP service providers are now complete," Ms Heyman wrote.
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"We have invited all three parties to meet with us in the coming fortnight to discuss their proposals and plans to establish a stable GP service in Gunnedah into the future.
"Following the meetings we will select a preferred applicant and negotiate finer details to establish a service as soon as possible."
Once the successful applicant is selected, they may also wish to refurbish the site to make sure it's up-to-date and meets clients needs, a process which could mean residents have to wait longer for the centre to open.
She also acknowledged the "significant investment of time and energy" the community contributed to the establishing the centre, and reaffirmed HNEH's commitment to retaining GP services there.
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