A full-time doctor has been secured for Bombala following NSW Health's request to Snowy Monaro Regional Council that the provision of a rent-free property in Bombala be available to the doctor as part of the proposed doctors contract.
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The former Bombala Council secured a federal government grant in 2009 for $200,000 to buy a property to help attract a full time doctor to Bombala.
The funding agreement was to 'make it easier for rural and remote communities to recruit and retain the services of general practitioners and allied health professionals'.
Bombala Council acquired the property 52 Sandy Crossing Road, Bombala and at the last meeting of Snowy Monaro Regional Council on Thursday, March 21 councillors agreed that the property should be made available rent free, for two years in the proposed new doctors contract.
Former Bombala Council mayor and Snowy Monaro Regional Council councillor Bob Stewart said he was pleased they had attracted another full time doctor to Bombala.
Bombala Multi Purpose Service is an 18 bed facility providing emergency, aged care and acute services for residents in the are.
With the lack of a full time doctor some of these services have been withdrawn or are only available when a visiting practitioner is in the area on a monthly or three monthly visits.
The Sandy Crossing property areas outside the house block are leased under Deed of Licence to a local resident.
This licence is due to expire on July 1, 2019 and from July 2 the leased areas can either be available for use by the proposed doctor or again be made available under a Deed of Licence for grazing.
Council has approved the use of the Sandy Creek Crossing property rent free for the full time doctor excluding utilities and immediate lawn and garden maintenance and will approve a Deed of Agreement prepared by council's solicitor expiring on June 30, 2021.