HUNDREDS of eastern-suburbs patients will be left without
a doctor when a Balwyn North clinic closes its doors this Friday.
The North Balwyn Family Medical Centre, which treats up to 400 patients a week, has been closed by Sydney-based Primary Health Care.
The closure follows Primary Health Care's acquisition and recent closures of former Symbion Health clinics in Box Hill South, Blackburn and Ferntree Gully.
Seven doctors, a nurse and paramedical staff were given redundancies "effective immediately" or told they would have to relocate last week.
Medical co-ordinator Richard Hince said staff were devastated.
"We had no warning," Dr Hince said.
"It's a total lack of concern for patient welfare."
Patient Lynne Jordan, who has taken her family to the centre for 13 years, was appalled.
"Does the corporate Primary Health even care?" Ms Jordan asked.
The Balwyn North resident was told to take her family to the Primary Health Care "supercentre" in Ringwood, almost 20km away, or Mont Albert. "What's going to happen to all the elderly patients who can't travel?" Ms Jordan asked.
Melbourne East General Practice Network deputy chairman Chris Pearce said surrounding doctors would not be able to cope with the influx of patients.
"This is what happens when you treat general practice as a commodity," Dr Pearce said.
He said the concept that the practices were not financially viable was "nonsense". Australian Medical Association Victoria president Doug Travis said the days of solo GPs and small clinics were over.
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