Murraylands Medical Centre closes, leaving Tailem Bend without a GP clinic
Efforts to find a new provider are continuing, but local authorities hope federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler will step in.
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Tailem Bend’s only GP clinic has closed its doors on Wednesday, leaving the town of 1700 people without regular access to a doctor.
The owners of the Murraylands Medical Centre had flagged their intention to close back in July, citing problems with staff recruitment and financial sustainability.
Despite their best efforts, the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, local health advisory council and Coorong council were unable to find a new provider to take over the service.
So, on Wednesday afternoon, the last patients left their appointments and the doctors packed their things.
There were silver linings, however, the council advised:
- Allied health service providers will be able to keep taking appointments at the medical centre
- Emergency health care at the Tailem Bend hospital will be provided by GPs from Bridge Clinic in Murray Bridge via video link
- Aged care residents at the hospital will be supported by GPs from the Mallee Medical Practice and Renmark Medical Clinic, up to 200 kilometres away
Going forward, the LHN will continue its efforts to secure an exemption which would allow it to employ doctors itself – something barred by legislation except in the most desperate circumstances.
That decision will be up to federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler.
Meanwhile, the Country SA Primary Health Network – a state body – has launched new research which will aim to identify a sustainable model for health care in regional South Australia, and the Coorong district in particular.
Public workshops will be held in association with that effort in the coming weeks.
The Murraylands Medical Centre had previously closed in June 2025, during a disagreement over $150,000 worth of unpaid rent, but its owners struck a deal which allowed it to reopen the following week.
That deal involved wiping the clinic’s debt and offering rent at a reduced rate, according to the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network.
Murray Bridge News has sought comment from Minister Butler, and will share more information as it becomes available.
