Doctor is in

By Bridget Brady
THE health of Tooradin’s first medical clinic has been bolstered and building is back on track after permission was granted for one doctor.
Doctor Sunil Kumar is breathing a sigh of relief after the Federal Government approved one doctor to work at his clinic in Tooradin, which he hoped would be open in July.
While the outcome was not ideal, Dr Kumar said one doctor was better than none.
“It’s still going to be a super clinic in terms of all the services provided, but in terms of GP numbers, it will only be one,” Dr Kumar said.
He said the pressure applied from the community had made a difference.
“It’s better than what we had before. I’m really happy residents will be able to have a clinic which can meet their needs and they don’t have to travel that far.”
Plans to open the super clinic came to an abrupt halt last month, when the government rejected Dr Kumar’s application for Tooradin to be classified as a District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) area. Without the classification, overseas trained doctors are unable to obtain a Medicare provider number and therefore provide services which attract Medicare rebates.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Ageing said Mr Kumar’s application for a preliminary assessment of district of workforce shortage (PADWS) was accepted because the clinic would provide services to nearby communities in DWS areas.
But Mr Kumar said Tooradin fitted the criteria to be one of those areas.
Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the fight would continue to try and get more doctors to Tooradin.
“One doctor is better than none but three would be a more appropriate number for the town. The current position is ridiculous,” Mr Hunt said.
“Anyone can see doctors are in short supply in Tooradin.”
Stan Burnett, who established Tooradin Village, said it was fantastic news to have a doctor.
“Basically, one doctor will get things started and I just hope we keep on trying for another doctor,” Mr Burnett said.
“We’re very happy to get a doctor.”