THREE new GPs have been secured for Nhill.
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West Wimmera Health Service has signed a five-year contract with Rural Doctors to provide three full-time GPs who will visit patients at the Nhill Hospital and residents at Nhill's Iona Digby Harris Nursing Home.
Rural Doctors will also lease the service's Nhill Medical Clinic to provide a bulk billing GP service.
It comes after last month's announcement that a full-time GP had been contracted for Kaniva and Goroke for a five year period.
In October, the West Wimmera Health Service gave existing provider Tristar Medical Group notice to terminate its contract to provide medical services to the service's Nhill and Kaniva facilities by no later than January 31.
West Wimmera Health Service's chief executive Ritchie Dodds said he hoped the new GPs would help fill a gap in the region.
"It will bring an end to the recent uncertainty surrounding GP services for the foreseeable future. The contracts are for five years, but have the potential to be extended," he said.
"We're working with Tristar and Rural Doctors to ensure the changeover is as smooth as possible and most importantly that patient care won't be unduly affected.
"There are a number of factors to consider and we are particularly grateful to Tristar and their employees for their assistance in this regard.
"We also acknowledge and thank the Nhill community for their patience and understanding throughout."
Doctors will start at Nhill and Kaniva on Thursday, while the Goroke service will start at a later date.
Mr Dodds said the service was still working on filling gaps at its sites in Rupanyup, Murtoa and Minyip.
"Rahim Medical has recently started to provide GPs to the Rupanyup nursing home and hospital They are also looking to provide an on-call service for Rupanyup, and start medical clinics in those towns," he said.
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