The Central West Hospital and Health Service says it is hoping for the cooperation of residents, with the temporary closure of a bulk-billing GP clinic.
Spokesman Dr David Rimmer said the Iningai clinic at Longreach was closed today and tomorrow because there were not enough GPs to staff it, due to illness and unforeseen circumstances.
He said it would impact on routine services only and people with emergencies should present to the local hospital.
“We still have full emergency services at the hospital, there are no cutbacks in serious services but we are just asking for some cooperation while we are short-staffed over the next 48 hours,” he said.
“If we have a full complement of staff we have the option of moving staff around the district but we are not yet at the full complement.”
Dr Rimmer said while there been an increase in doctor numbers in the region, the current situation could not have been predicted.
“The reality is that with the increase in numbers, we’re seeing an increase in services,” he said.
“We are actually seeing 25 to 30 per cent more patients all of the time than we were 18 months ago.
“I am hoping that for the majority of people it is a minor inconvenience and certainly if there is any significant illness then they are still able to come to the hospital to be seen.”
Dr Rimmer said the Iningai clinic was expected to reopen on Friday.