Visiting specialists are still seeing patients at the South Burnett Private Hospital and the Reception Desk is still operating.
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said he didn’t want the community thinking the hospital had already completely ceased operating.
“There is a misconception out there the hospital has closed, which is not the case,” Mayor Kratzmann said.
“The most noteworthy change is that operating on patients who require surgery is not currently possible.”
Council has a September 30 deadline to find a new operator to take over management of the hospital.
Dr Philip McDougall, a visiting specialist, said the region would suffer should the community become totally reliant on the public hospital to provide ongoing health care.
“I have visited Kingaroy on a monthly basis for more than 10 years and have been able to provide a service which, I am sure, has benefited many. Should the hospital close, I feel very sorry for the South Burnett community as a whole,” Dr McDougall said.
“It is my intention to visit the South Burnett Private Hospital in both August and September to consult with those patients who are booked to see me.”
Dr McDougall said if a new hospital provider was not secured he would be unable to provide a service to the South Burnett community.
“If I am unable to treat those patients referred for consultation locally, obviously patients will have to seek treatment elsewhere,” he said.
