Cardwell Medical Practice Revival Offers Hope

Ensuring that all of Hinchinbrook has access to a doctor when they need it most is a priority of mine. Over two years, the former Cardwell Family Practice’s future has been in limbo with NQPHN, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Federal Government and State Government working collaboratively to keep the doors open.

Finally, a long-term solution has been reached. I recently joined the Cardwell community to celebrate the transition of Cardwell Medical Practice back to a privately run service. The practice will now be supported by Ingham Family Medical Practice and staffed by a locally based team.

This achievement is the result of strong advocacy and collaboration among NQPHN, Townsville Hospital and Health Service, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, the Hon. Bob Katter, and myself. These efforts began in 2023, following the announcement that the Cardwell Family Practice intended to close.

Now, with support from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Thin Markets initiative, Cardwell Medical Practice (formerly Cardwell Family Practice) officially transitioned to a private practice on 1 July 2025.

A sincere thank you goes to Dr. Brett Scott and his team for their dedication and efforts in making this transition possible, ensuring that local patients continue to have access to GP services in Cardwell.

This is a clear example of what can be achieved when all three levels of government work collaboratively for the benefit of the people they represent.

While this milestone is a celebration for Cardwell, the broader battle is not over. Patients across the electorate are still reporting wait times of over three weeks to see a GP. The current wave of winter illnesses is undoubtedly adding further pressure to the ongoing General Practitioner (GP) shortage being felt in Hinchinbrook and across the state.

GPs are facing challenges in recruiting doctors to regional areas, so we will continue working with the Federal Government, NQPHN, and other key stakeholders to focus on recruitment.