AN after-hours medical centre at Frankston Hospital will shut its doors for the last time later this month amid claims federal funding cuts are to blame.
The Labor state government says the axing of $100,000 in annual federal funding has forced Medicentre, a privately owned after-hours general practice that bulk bills more than 10,000 consultations a year, to shut up shop.
“The Medicentre’s location in Frankston Hospital allows our community to utilise a number of facilities such as radiology and pathology, which would otherwise be inaccessible after hours,” Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said.
“It is a very busy, very popular option for families and also takes the strain off our Emergency Department.”
Federal Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson said the Medicentre board had decided to “cease trading” on 29 November. He said the board made its decision after consultation with the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network.
“It seems to be a bit of politicking from state Labor about a service they don’t put a dollar of cash into,” Mr Billson said.
“The Medicentre’s board took the decision to discontinue rather than transition to a more sustainable model.”
The Mornington Peninsula & Frankston Medicentre opened in 1986 to provide general practice services to patients and ease pressure on GPs having to always be on 24/7 call.
Mr Billson hoped “an alternative model” could be put in place at Frankston Hospital. He said he will speak to Peninsula Health and the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network to see whether there is market interest in another provider stepping in to provide after-hours GP services at Frankston Hospital.
The former small business minister said “financial incentives” are available to any GP who also runs a day practice.
Mr Billson said Medicentre had been offered interim funding “to ease the transition” but the board had decided to close the after-hours general practice with almost immediate effect.
Mr Edbrooke laid the blame for Medicentre’s closure squarely at the federal government.
“Taking away our communities healthcare as a result of federal government cuts is unacceptable.”
