A group called Priority Emergency Centres operated three centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns suddenly ceased trading due to some legal and financial difficulties. We were called in urgently by the Church at Calvary to provide strategic and operational advice to the Calvary Board re the Emergency Centre’s future. The Bishop and the hospital board requested options considering the situation.
Five personnel including three emergency specialists flew to Cairns for a short-term intensive brief. We interviewed all major specialists, key local GPs and the staff of the centre. Together with the examination of the local market demographics, we advised the Board that salvaging the unit would be extremely difficult considering its history particularly with the GPs.
We advised closure and further work done re reopening a differentiated service at a later date. The advice was accepted but not implemented. The unit was converted into a site for a local GP deputising service.
Impact Healthcare
