Residents in Western Australia's north west fear GP wait times will blow out further, after a national provider confirmed the closure of clinics in two major communities.
Sonic HealthPlus has announced it will close its clinics in South Hedland and Newman, citing the difficulty sourcing doctors and staff since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cancer survivor and South Hedland local Sharyn Noelene was left devastated by the news.
"It's a two-week wait to see a doctor, now it's probably going to be a four-week wait," she said.
"I've had cancer twice and my partner recently has had a cancer experience, so we need to able to see a doctor.
"Not being able to get health care is a huge concern for both of us and I know it will be for many other people in this town."
Rural Doctors of Western Australia former president Rob Whitehead has lived in the Pilbara for two decades.
Mr Whitehead said after the closure of Sonic Health Plus, Port Hedland will have gone from three to one GP in the past year.
"The Pilbara has always struggled to attract Australian-trained graduates, it's just not somewhere that's been seen as particularly attractive place to work," he said.
"We need to work out what are the incentives that would actually make a doctor move up here and stay here for a few years and deliver quality health care to the community."
Fears hospitals will be 'smashed'
Fellow South Hedland resident Scot Mitchell is worried the closure of the clinic will put more pressure on the hospital system.
"I've got small children, [in] winter, how's that meant to work?," he said.
"The ED's going to get smashed."
He said he could not fathom having just one major GP in town of about 16,000 people.
"One of the richest towns and we can't even get a doctor, you think that'd be one of the most urgent things to sort out up here — it's ridiculous," he said.
Port Hedland's other GP clinic is already preparing for an influx of clients, telling people on social media the situation "will put a strain on people trying to source an appointment".
The closure of the Newman clinic has also been met with concern from residents.
Shire of East Pilbara president Anthony Middleton said he was waiting for more information about Sonic's closure in Newman but understood a tender process was underway for a new healthcare provider.
"It's definitely needed and there can't be too much of a gap, or a gap at all, for that service," he said.
"[We] just need to make sure we are approaching the right channels and speaking to the right people to make sure there's minimal impact to the community."
Decision not taken lightly, Sonic says
Sonic HealthPlus chief executive officer Greg Hutchinson said the decision to stop services in South Hedland and Newman was "difficult".
“This has not been a decision taken lightly," he said.
"We have been an integral part of both communities for more than 15 years and our local teams have built strong reputations for providing the highest quality of care.
"We are working with a number of stakeholders to determine what services will be available following these dates".
Sonic HealthPlus said its South Hedland Clinic will close on June 30 and the Newman clinic on July 21 but will continue services in Karratha.
