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Volume 5, Wednesday February 11th, 2009
Doctors on the move?
R
oxby Downs Family Practice is on the move; the question is will it be to a new premises in Gregory Street out of out of town?
In a shocking revelation, Doctors Simon Lockwood and Wendy Strachan plan to close the Roxby Downs Family Practice by the end of June. Claiming difficulty in dealing with the Roxby Downs Council with the Practices attempts to set up a new clinic as the reason for their departure, both doctors are looking for appointments in other country towns. Dr Lockwood said, “Our current location is inadequate for the number of patients we treat and we promised ourselves we would not go through another winter in our current premises. “Dr Strachan and I had a dream to set up a new Practice with more room, privacy and facilities. To fulfil that dream, nine months ago I purchased a home in Gregory Street with the plan to fit it out as a new practice. “As much as Dr Strachan and I love Roxby Downs we feel as though the processes to fulfil the dream are beyond our control and we have decided to close the Family Practice and seek appointments elsewhere.” Dr Lockwood lays the frustrations that have caused them to make this decision squarely at the feet of the Council. The Doctors’ frustrations have been fuelled by what they feel are unnecessary delays and costs in order to renovate the property, which has stood vacant for seven months while the necessary planning processes have been worked though. “I feel we have not been encouraged in any way and that the Council could have helped in making the new practice a reality,” said Dr Lockwood. The Monitor spoke to the Roxby Downs Council in relation to the claims of delays and conditions applied to the planning and building approvals. Council Administrator Bill Boehm said, “All the necessary procedures as laid down by Council’s Development Plan as required by the Development Act have been processed ap-
propriately. Planning approval was issued on September 26, 2008 with final development approval on November 4, 2008 following building rules consent. “As with all development applications assessment times can vary. In this instance the application was required to be publically advertised whilst additional information was also sought relating to various building matters. “Overall planning requirements relating to car parking and landscaping are standard for all such developments, whilst building requirements are mandatory under the Building Code of Australia. “The Council, as it has in the past, is more than willing to assist the Family Practice in any practical way within its powers; and is extremely disappointed should the Doctors leave, especially since we have not been formally approached since the development approval was issued. “However, we cannot forgo our duty and legal constraints which apply equally to all people when applying for planning and building approvals.” Dr Lockwood said he had also made an approach to BHP Billiton and discussions are ongoing. The Monitor contacted BHP Billiton to ask how they could assist the community to keep the Practice open. Vice President Government and Community Relations Kym Winter-Dewhirst said, “BHP Billiton is taking the situation very seriously, and we are continuing to negotiate with the Doctors to find an equitable outcome.” A group of concerned residents are willing to start a Friends of the Family Practice to support the clinic to move to Gregory Street and stay open. They have also been buoyed by the news that discussions between the Doctors’ and BHP Billiton are still ongoing and are hopeful that not all is lost. The group’s spokesperson said, “We want the Doctors’ next shift to be a local one, not to another part of the state.” Dr Strachan is planning to leave the Practice by April and Dr Lockwood plans to be gone by June.
Save our Doctors W “We are fortunate to have two practices and we must fight tooth and nail to keep them both here. “Our plan is to form ‘Friends of the Family Practice’ and work with the Doctors to overcome all the obstacles and have the new practice operating by May at the latest.” Mr Beever added, “We do not know the One of the group’s members, Tom Beever, said, “It would be a tragedy to lose Doctors full extent of what needs to be done and we Lockwood and Strachan from Roxby. are still hopeful that ongoing discussions
hen Dr Lockwood’s and Dr Strachan’s plans became know last week, a small number of concerned residents immediately started to look at what had to be done to keep our Doctors from the Family Practice from leaving Roxby Downs.
may yet resolve the issues. “If assistance is still required next week we will meet with Dr Lockwood and form an action plan and then look at what ways the community and local businesses can support us to make the ‘dream’ of the new clinic a reality. “It may require fundraising, fast tracking works or some physical hands on assistance; whatever is required will need to be done
quickly. We will have to move fast.
“We are committed to forming a group who can make it happen.” If you wish to support The Family Practice to stay in Roxby Downs, email your contact details and words of support to savethedoctor@themonitor.com.au. The community will be kept informed of when when a plan is developed and advise how you can best assist.