Remote WA GP clinic to close amid rising financial pressure
03 Jun 2026
The Kalbarri Doctors Surgery will shut its doors after the practice operator, MediBloom Group, said all attempts to secure funding support or a buyer had been unsuccessful.
Clinic director Christopher Hamilton said the decision followed months of financial strain, with operating costs continuing to rise faster than available funding. He said the practice had previously invested its own funds to keep the service running but could no longer maintain operations.
Dr Tara Hamilton, a GP at the clinic, said the closure will have a major impact on the local community, which will now need to travel long distances for basic healthcare. She also warned it could significantly increase pressure on nearby hospital services.
She said recent Medicare rebate increases, alongside broader billing changes affecting chronic disease management and mental health items, had further reduced the clinic’s income viability. Rising staffing, insurance and operational costs were also key factors.
The clinic has been operating as a fully bulk-billed service in a remote area where private billing is not considered viable due to population size and socioeconomic factors.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said the closure reflects broader funding challenges facing general practice, particularly in rural and remote areas.
She said increasing costs have not been matched by funding growth, leaving many practices to absorb financial pressure while continuing to provide care.
Dr Raman also noted the loss of the only GP service in Kalbarri will place additional strain on hospitals and reduce access to trusted local care.
The MediBloom Group has previously closed another regional practice in Northampton due to similar financial and workforce challenges.
The WA Primary Health Alliance, which covers the region, did not comment when contacted.
Remote WA GP clinic to close amid rising financial pressure
Source: newsGP / RACGP