MEDIA RELEASE                                                                    22 November 2023

Future of Mandalay Medical Centre assured with acquisition by industry leader ForHealth

Continuing access to bulk-billed GP health services is assured for the Rockhampton community with today’s announcement by Country to Coast QLD of health services provider ForHealth’s purchase of the Mandalay Medical Centre.

Country to Coast, QLD Chief Executive Julie Sturgess congratulated ForHealth on the acquisition and was delighted to see access to affordable and personalised healthcare was guaranteed for Rockhampton residents from all walks of life.

‘I can understand that the Rockhampton community would have been concerned to hear last month that Mandalay Medical Centre intended to close from 1 December,’ Ms Sturgess said.

‘Following the announcement of the pending closure, however, Country to Coast staff worked closely with Mandalay Medical Centre management to allay community concerns, including answering phone enquiries from Mandalay patients, providing employee assistance program support to Mandalay team members, and working with Health Workforce Queensland on a workforce management plan.

‘Due to the strong partnership and swift response from Country to Coast QLD; the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care; Queensland Minister for Health, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP; Member for Keppel and Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure, Brittany Lauga MP; and Queensland Health, I’m delighted to say that Mandalay Medical Centre will continue to operate under new management,’ Ms Sturgess said.  

Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, Hon Shannon Fentiman MP said it is crucial that Queenslanders have access to bulk-billed GP clinics close to home.

‘I am extremely proud our Government was able to step in and work alongside the Federal Government and Country to Coast, QLD to ensure the Mandalay Medical Centre will keep its doors open for this growing community.

‘We understood the impact closing this facility would have on residents and the flow on affect to other healthcare services, who are already under pressure.

‘I am committed to ensuring that every Queenslander has access to high-quality healthcare no matter where they live, and the Rockhampton community can have confidence that bulk-billed care will continue to be available locally.’

Brittany Lauga MP, Member for Kepel and Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure said continuity of care was paramount for patients of Mandalay Medical Centre.

‘My thanks to Country to Coast, QLD, ForHealth and Queensland Health for working in partnership to find an urgent solution that gives the Rockhampton community certainty about Mandalay’s future,’ Ms Lauga said.

ForHealth Chief Executive Andrew Cohen welcomed Mandalay Medical Centre and the Rockhampton community to ForHealth’s existing network of more than 80 medical centres across Australia.

"ForHealth passionately believes every Australian has the right to high quality accessible healthcare, wherever they are, and no matter their financial circumstances.

‘ForHealth is committed to retaining and building the existing Mandalay Medical Centre workforce, continuing to bulk-bill and expanding health services provided to the Rockhampton community,’ Mr Cohen said.

Ms Sturgess said Country to Coast, QLD will continue to support the Mandalay team to deliver services and to ensure that the transition to new management with ForHealth is as seamless as possible.

‘Country to Coast, QLD is committed to supporting sustainable and viable general practices across Central Queensland so our community can achieve its healthiest outcomes,’ said Ms Sturgess.

Photo:


Caption: Country to Coast, QLD Senior Manager Central Queensland, Samantha King, Practice Manager, Deb Lacey and Nurse Manager Gyanu Maya excited about the ForHealth acquisition of Mandalay Medical Centre in Rockhampton.

ENDS
 
Media contact:
Country to Coast, QLD | Angela Baldwin
0455 721 483
communications@c2coast.org.au
 
ForHealth | Simon Cross
0411 514 875
simon.cross@forhealth.com.au
 
About Country to Coast, QLD
Country to Coast, QLD is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to building healthy, connected and resilient communities across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. We deliver the Australian Government’s PHN Program and partner with health providers and the community to design and commission quality primary care services.