The Clermont community will soon benefit from the expertise of specialist Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) doctors with GP consultations returning to the town.
Responding to community concern about a lack of services, the RFDS (Queensland Section) will be on the ground from 17 August, providing face-to-face GP consultations.
RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Operating Officer Clinical Service Delivery Dom Tait said the Primary Health Care (PHC) team is excited to be able to provide the local community with an interim solution for the next 6-months.
“This is something our specialists have a long track record of doing very well and we know they’ll have an immediate, positive, impact on the local community,” Mr Tait said.
“We know it’s been a difficult time for the Clermont region and our role is to come in and provide GP services where there currently aren’t any so that Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and Mackay Hospital and Health Service can continue to work on a longer-term solution.
“The role of the RFDS clinicans is a very important first step in providing an ongoing solution that gives the people of Clermont greater certainty around their medical care.”
Locals will be able to make online appointments via the Healthengine page by going to rfds.co/clermont or via the RFDS website and searching for ‘Clermont Clinic’. Online bookings for face-to-face appointments can be made now. Bookings are also available by calling 07 4988 5500 during clinic hours, once the clinic opens.
The new service will be fully operational from 17 August at the Primary Health Care Clinic located at Clermont Hospital – 24 Francis Street, named for the interim period as the RFDS Clermont Clinic on the following days and times.
Face-to-face appointments:
- Monday: 1:30pm – 5:30pm - appointments can be made from 8:30am on site.
- Tuesday to Thursday: 8:30am – 5:30pm.
- Friday – no face-to-face consultations but appointments can still be made from 8:30am on site.
Telehealth appointments:
Telehealth services are also available from 24 August on the following days and times. Bookings can be made by calling 07 4988 5500 during clinic hours.
- Monday and Friday: 8:30am – 6:00pm.
- Tuesday: 1:30pm – 6:00pm.
- Thursday: 8.30am – 1:00pm.
Telehealth is additional to the services available face to face and is provided by a dedicated telehealth doctor, meaning two doctors are allocated to providing services every week.
Telehealth appointments are provided either by phone or video. Patients do not need to attend the clinic and can access the service from their own home or confidential place of their choosing.
Email enquiries can be sent to rfds_clermont@rfdsqld.com.au
For urgent and emergency health care needs, patients are still required to call Triple Zero (000).
