The Albury After Hours Clinic has closed indefinitely to ensure the 40 Border GPs who were staffing the clinic are not put at risk by COVID-19.
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The closure of the clinic at Albury Hospital, which has operated for nearly 14 years, will leave a big gap in after-hours options for families.
Directors Michael Bartram, Graeme Davey and Janine Hill made the call late last week and the last day of operation happened on Friday.
Dr Bartram said the "writing was on the wall" for the clinic's closure.
"It has been well-supported, it's had ups and downs in trying to get through times where staffing was tricky or funding was tight ... this one has just brought us unstuck," he said.
"The extra burden of the COVID-19 virus has just made it impossible ... in not being able to ensure infection control standards are maintained in a small and multi-doctor environment.
"There are many other things coming out of the outbreak where we're having to pitch in through respiratory clinics, or helping with palliative and emergency care."
Dr Bartram was among those who made the after hours clinic a reality in 2006.
"What the after hours clinic was, was right for its time and it got us out of a difficult time where there was a doctor shortage," he said.
"Once things are more settled ... there will likely be interest from the community perspective to have something that works.
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"It would be a different model and would probably require people who have the time and energy.
"We just don't have the energy to [mothball the clinic], we're having to let people move on and see what comes next.
"The staff have worked really hard and done an amazing job."
Dr Bartram anticipates any doctor home visit operators in the region will stop if they haven't already, and urged people to contact their clinics, as we were in for at least an 18-month fight against COVID-19.
"It's important people continue to see their GP - chronic disease management really relies on regular maintenance," he said.
"They should not fear being turned away.
"I know from our practice, we are doing our best to deal with the after-hours situation for our own patients, and each practice will have to come up with its own solutions again.
"It's going to be a bit of a scramble, but I guess the main focus at the moment is on trying to get resources right for the next couple of months and beyond.
"It's still early-days in the outbreak and there's a lot of unknowns; hopefully with everybody's fantastic efforts ... we will minimise the local spread."
Staff attached to the clinic including business manager Janine Hill have thanked the community for their support.
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