As those in attendance at the public meeting in Pomona were advised, Dr Ann Buchan, the principle of Cooroora Family Health is leaving the practice on 31 May 2019. However be assured that the practice will stay open, provided there are sufficient doctors to service patients.
Currently the practice is looking for four doctors, with this search underway by PHN (Primary Health Network), a not for profit agency that supports and assists rural and regional practices, such as Cooroora Family Health. A number of parties have also contacted the practice with a view to purchasing it, and all discussions remain on-going.
A community working group has also been formed to explore the possibility of the community taking over the practice, and are looking at co-operative models of primary care as demonstrated in the ACT, parts of Melbourne and remote Australia, with the aim of creating a self-funding, community owned and operated practice. This will take several months to organize, however the journey has begun.
Congratulations and thank you to all who put their hand up to be part of this group, to Robb from PHN, Ann, Colleen and the CFH team, as well as the community for coming together to ensure that this essential service continues to deliver to the residents of Pomona and surrounds.
Updates will be available via the Clinic’s Facebook page Cooroora Family Health, as well this MP page.