QUILPIE’s doctor shortage shows no signs of abating with the town currently without a doctor and that will continue for almost a week.
The latest situation in relation to health services at Quilpie was raised LIVE on-air by Costo in today’s 4RR-FM Morning Show, prompting a written response from the South West Hospital and Health Service, which maintains it’s “doing everything we can to minimise disruptions”.
“We acknowledge the importance of consistent care for our communities and are working hard to ensure ongoing medical coverage at Quilpie,” says executive director of medical services Dr Kent McDonald.
“Recruiting and retaining senior medical officers with the additional skills and personal mindset needed to work in small country towns is always challenging. We have not been able to attract a permanent doctor at Quilpie for a number of years. However, over the years, we have been able to provide consistent medical cover at Quilpie through a roster of regular rotating locums.
“For instance, one of our regular locums, Dr Ben Vogelzang, has been in town over the past fortnight providing coverage up to yesterday (22 June) and we thank him for his ongoing support. However, there will be a short gap from 23–28 June where there will not be an on-site doctor as we have not been able to secure locum coverage for that short period.
“We understand this may be concerning and want the community to know we are carefully managing this period to ensure care continues safely. Regular visiting locum Dr Geoff Cox will return on 29 June, and from there we have a steady rotation of familiar locum doctors scheduled across the remainder of the year, including Dr Vogelzang, Dr Cox, Dr Allison Graham and Dr Max Higgs.
“Importantly, the community also has ongoing support from Nurse Practitioner Anthony Wollaston, who is permanently based in Quilpie and provides valuable day-to-day care and continuity for the community. We know how important reliable healthcare access is, especially in smaller communities, and we are doing everything we can to minimise disruptions.
“We thank the community for their understanding and for continuing to support the local health service.”
Dr McDonald’s comments come four days after an almost identical written narrative from South West Hospital and Health Service chief executive officer Dr Anthony Brown.
“We are doing everything we can,” Dr Brown said in a prepared statement on June 19 and relayed to locals via the Quilpie Shire Council’s Facebook page.
4RR-FM has formally requested an interview with someone from the SWHHS but at the time of posting, there had been no response.
PHOTO: The town entrance sign to Quilpie…a community that still can’t find a permanent doctor.
POSTED: Tuesday, June 23, 2026