Gunnedah Rural Health Centre expressions of interest see GPs from near and far apply

It comes after HNEH extended its expression of interest (EOI) period to find an operator of the troubled clinic.

HNEH's executive director of rural and regional health services Susan Heyman said this was done to allow more time for applications after the Christmas and New Year period.

EOIs now need to be in by January 29.

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"We hope this additional time will allow them to submit their proposal," Ms Heyman said.

"It's only conversations at this stage ... and we want to continue the conversations because we want to attract some people into the building.

"If we can attract new GPs to town, the more the better."

Once the EOI period is finished the next step will be to have formal negotiations and discussions, Ms Heyman told the Leader.

"If we aren't able to attract new GPs we will continue to work with the local council, local community members, the Rural Doctors Association and the Primary Health Network to make Gunnedah the place of choice for GPs," she said.

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HNEH's community health staff have also recently moved into the Marquis Street building, and things are going very well, according to Ms Heyman.

"I've spoken to a number of the staff and they've said some really positive things like that it's great they're all located together," she said.

"Patients often need to see more than one clinician and having them closer together will ease access for patients."