Appendix A - Need and Impact Analysis

4.0 Potential Impacts/Benefits to other Medical Centres
The proposal has been assessed to determine any potential financial and social impacts upon
existing medical centres and the local community.

4.1    Financial impacts/benefits
From sections 3.3 and 3.4 of this report it is evident Cooroy is reaching its threshold regarding
patient to doctor ratios. All three medical practices voiced additional doctors in the region
would be beneficial to cater for the increasing demand of health care. Maple Street Surgery
stated, should things not slow down, they would look into getting another 3-4 doctors within
the next six months.

The proposed Doctors Practice will consist of one doctor practicing at any one time. This,
from a financial perspective, is a benefit for additional practices as the intensity of one
additional doctor is negligible compared to another Medical Practice that may consist of
between four and eight doctors. Further to this, current practices do not appear to be able
to take on more work without extending opening hours, this suggests that they would
experience negligible loss of income as a result of the proposed doctor’s practice.

4.2    Social impacts/benefits
Discussions with existing Medical Practices found they are extremely busy and often
experience difficulties finding time for new clients, doctors staying on schedule and the
limited room for emergency appointments.

The additional practice may socially benefit both existing medical practices and the
community by easing health demand pressures and providing more availability to new
patients within the region. These are considered positive benefits, assisting in supporting the
existing health network within Cooroy and allowing more residents to seek health assistance
closer to home. This use will be beneficial to the local community, utilising otherwise vacant
land until the approved Aged Care Facility receives Federal Government provisional
allocations as an Aged Care Provider, allowing funding to be received for the construction of
the facility . The proposed Doctors Practice is located in a convenient location that provides
ample car parking and safe vehicular and pedestrian access.

From the PLR Residential Questionnaire main difficulties when arranging to meet with a
doctor included limited parking, appointment availability and distance travelled. The
proposed practice will alleviate all of these issues providing ample car parking, greater
appointment availability and minimising travel distances.



13 February 2019                             Planning Report                        Page 15 of 17