Everyone knows there’s a shortage of GPs in town but the Musicians Club and the Sturt Club are coming to the rescue with the news they are set to turn the space alongside the Silver City Cinema, at 47 Oxide Street, into open a new GP clinic.
In a joint venture with former – and soon to be returning – local, Dr Steven Grillett, when fully operational the new surgery will initially see upwards of 100 people a week, with space for more doctors as well.
It could be open by the end of April and there will be room for three more doctors.
“Steve really wanted to move back to Broken Hill and offer a service,” Musos’ general manager, Michael Boland, told the Truth.
“But, as we know, starting a new business, especially a doctor’s surgery, is cost prohibitive.”
With Broken Hill in desperate need of GPs – there is a several months’ long wait to see doctors in the Silver City – Dr Grillett talked to the Musicians Club and it was decided they would assist with funding through the ClubGRANTS Scheme.
ClubGRANTS is a shared State Government Club Industry program, which sees the largest registered clubs in NSW contribute to front-line services for their local communities.
“Being a ClubGRANTS scheme, the Sturt Club is on board as well. They, along with the Musicians Club are donating a significant amount of money towards the new GP surgery,” says Mr Boland.
“At our next ClubGRANTS committee meeting later this month, it’ll be put to all club grant members. We expect that the support will come from all the clubs through that scheme.”
Mr Boland expects the new surgery to be operating by the end of this month, or early next month at the latest.
“Dr Grillet is looking to start very soon. Theres been Ads [for staff] in the Barrier Truth, and he is hoping to commence with himself and a nurse as soon as possible.”
There is room for at least two or three more doctors, while still retaining a spot for a nurse’s space to give shots and take blood tests.
“There are four spaces in this area. We could potentially have three doctors and a nurse in this space,” Mr Boland said.
“There’s certainly room for further expansion and Doctor Grillet has certainly made that clear that there is view to that kind of thing to happen.”
Giving back to the community is high on the agenda for Mr Boland. He says that when the opportunity to get involved arose, he didn’t hesitate.
“We jumped on it straight away at the club. Everybody knows we deal in alcohol and gambling, and some clubs like to say they are profit for purpose. We like to say [at the Musicians Club] that we operate under a social license.
“Part of that social license is we aim to give back more to the community than we take out. Partnering with a doctor through ClubGRANTS is obviously part of that strategy and part of that commitment to the community that we operate in.”
