Ochre Health announced its intention to withdraw from Barham in a press release last week, and a hunt is underway to find a new operator for the facility.

The Barham Local Health Medical Trust, which owns the facility, acknowledged Ochre Health’s commitment to the community and its excellent provision of medical services over the past 15 years. The volunteer board stated that although disappointed that Ochre Health has made this decision, they wished to reassure the community that they are working closely with Ochre Health to secure a new owner/operator of the facility, and a smooth transition to their medical services.

In 2009, faced with the imminent loss of medical services, the Barham Local Health Medical Trust approached Ochre Health to manage medical services. One of Ochre’s founders, Dr Ross Lamplugh, took a trip to Barham with his father to meet the Trust. Impressed by the efforts and commitment of the Trust, and also by the can-do attitude of the community, Ochre agreed to run the Barham and District Medical Centre on the condition that Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) contracted Ochre to also facilitate medical services at Barham Hospital. The decision earlier this year by MLHD to not renew Ochre Health’s contract with the hospital placed the business model in jeopardy. 

Ochre Health CEO Dermot Roche said the company is sad to be leaving town, but proud to have supported doctors for 15 years to care for the community at the Medical Centre and the Hospital.  

“We have been honoured and privileged to serve the community for so long with a dedicated team of local people supported by many exceptional doctors. In recent years, Drs Chameera and Anusha have set up their home in Barham and become the foundation of the health service. They, and the entire support team, have been fantastic and we thank them for their contributions and dedication.

“We have also had a close relationship with the Barham Local Health Medical Trust, who have been relentless in their efforts to ensure quality medical services for their community. The Trust has been our Medical Centre ‘landlord’, but it has also been an amazing advocate in attracting doctors and supporting the practice.

“Unfortunately, the loss of the hospital income means we will only be able to cover the permanent doctors with one locum during their current period of leave, and we apologise to the community for the difficulty this may cause in gaining an appointment in the next few weeks.”

The Barham and District Medical Centre has the capacity and need to support three full-time GPs, which Ochre states would make it a profitable business for a new owner/operator. Ochre is offering to hand over the practice at no cost, including all fixtures, fittings, furniture and patient records.  

The company and the Trust hope to have a new operator before June 30, 2024.

Member for Murray Helen Dalton was in Barham on Monday to meet with the Trust board. Ms Dalton reinforced her desire to see a western division for health services, moving away from Murrumbidgee Local Health.

If you know of any general practitioners who may be interested in working in a community-owned medical centre, spread the word and let’s find a new operator for our wonderful facility!

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 11 April 2024.