Ahmad Sleitini, owner of Scotts Healthsave Pharmacy; Jeff Tullock, president of the Bexley Chamber of Commerce; and Sandra Hale of Bexley Podiatry. Picture by Jim Gainsford.
The Bexley community is making an urgent call for doctors.
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Local businesses are joining with the Bexley Chamber of Commerce to call for expressions of interest for a medical practice or a GP to open on the busy Forest Road shopping strip.
Ahmad Sleitini, owner of Scotts Healthsave Pharmacy on Forest Road said: "We need to get doctors to put their hands up and commit to Bexley.
"When I first worked here 15 years ago there were seven doctors.
"Over the last 10 years we went down to two doctors and now we will have no-one.
"The GP is pretty much the centre of our local economy. They refer patients to the local podiatry practice, pharmacist or physio.
"So when the GP closes it impacts on local businesses as well as the community.
"Historically, Bexley had many doctors and they were always busy. There were always queues to see a GP.
"We have a lot of elderly people living in Bexley. There are a lot of aged care facilities and retirement villages but there's not much public transport.
"They will be catching a lot of buses to get to the doctors. If you are feeling unwell, the last thing you want to do is to be waiting at a bus stop," he said.
Sandra Hale of Bexley Podiatry spoke of the benefits of the suburb's circular economy.
"We have three pharmacists, a podiatrist, a physio therapist and three dentists, so the framework is here for a doctor to open a business," she said.
Bexley Chamber of Commerce president, Jeff Tullock said the chamber is seeking expressions of interest from doctors.
"It's an urgent need," he said. "In two months we'll have no-one.
"Bexley Town Centre has long been recognised as a trusted and well-established health care precinct, serving our community for generations.
"With our two remaining general practitioners soon moving on, we are actively seeking new GPs to join and continue this important legacy.
"Several premises within the town centre are approved for medical use and would suit sole practitioners or a small to medium medical centre. The area benefits from generous off street council parking, excellent visibility, and a diverse local population with ongoing demand for primary care. The Bexley Chamber of Commerce is ready to assist interested GPs by providing introductions to local health practitioners, identifying potential premises, and outlining the opportunities available within our centre."
"To arrange a suitable time, please contact us on 1300 239 539 (1300 BEXLEY) or email info@bexleychamber.com.au."

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