Edward River Council has secured the future operation of the Deniliquin Medical Centre and its existing workforce by awarding the lease to a group of experienced local doctors.
An independent panel (including four independent medical members) assessed four strong expressions of interest, and Rivergum Rural Health Hub Pty Ltd was selected by Council to operate the Centre.
Founding partners Dr Ben James, Dr Rachel James, Dr Ian Carey and Caitlin Morona will take an active role in the operation of the Centre, including Caitlin as Chief Executive Officer.
Rivergum Rural Health CEO Caitlin Morona said the group was proud to have been selected to operate the Centre.
"Rivergum Rural Health is locally owned and doctor led. Our focus is on ensuring Deniliquin has a stable, high-quality medical centre that the community can rely on for many years to come.
"We would like to sincerely thank the current clinic staff, with particular thanks to our new doctors, Dr Sammani and Dr Karo. Their professionalism and commitment to patients throughout a significant period of change has been outstanding, and we are very pleased that they will be continuing with the practice. Their experience and relationships with patients are central to a smooth transition."
Rivergum's immediate priority is ensuring existing patients experience a seamless transition.
"While our long-term aim is to actively welcome new patients, we want to assure existing patients that they will continue to be cared for by the same doctors and staff from day one, with no disruption to their existing treatment," said Ms Morona.
"Over the course of the lease, Rivergum aims to progressively introduce a walk-in clinic, provide additional residential aged-care services, urgent-care consults, and expand women's health, paediatric and chronic-condition care. We also intend to recruit a nurse practitioner, with a recruitment drive for new registrar doctors to commence mid next year.
"We aim to build a centre that attracts visiting specialists and allied health professionals and supports the training of the next generation of rural doctors."
Mayor Ashley Hall welcomed the selection as great news for the Edward River community.
"We're absolutely delighted with this outcome," Cr Hall said.
"Council is confident that these experienced local doctors will provide a foundation of growth for the Medical Centre and allow existing patients to be well cared for by doctors they know. A key factor in the success of Rivergum's application is that the group will not only provide continuity of care, but also actively recruit new medical staff and bring new services to support our community into the future."
Ochre Health has welcomed the appointment of the new operators. Ochre Health Executive Patrick Dwyer said they will continue to see current patients at the Deniliquin Medical Centre until the handover date.
"We will ensure there is a seamless handover and keep our operations going to allow time for Rivergum to complete a smooth onboarding period including the transfer of patient records. Patients will continue to see their Doctors, so they can rest assured that the same level of care will continue without interruption."
Ms Morona also acknowledged the outgoing operator, Ochre Health.
"We thank Ochre Health for its service to the Deniliquin community and for its cooperation in working with us towards an orderly handover for patients and staff," she concluded.
