WICKHAM WELCOMES NEW GP SERVICE AFTER EIGHT-YEAR WAIT

(L-R): Practice Manager Panaceum Seacrest Clinic Demelza Mitchell, Rio Tinto Ports Cape Lambert Maintenance Manager Bruce Fitzpatrick, Panaceum Karratha and Wickham Clinic Practice Manager Lisa Nike and Panaceum General Practitioner and Director Dr Murray James-Wallace.

BY ASAD KHAN

After more than eight years without a local general practitioner, Wickham residents now have access to a dedicated GP service close to home, thanks to a partnership between Rio Tinto and Panaceum Group.

The new part-time clinic began operating on 30 April 2025 outside the Wickham Community Hub. It is run by the Panaceum Group, a Karratha-based healthcare provider, and is currently on a 12-month trial.

The clinic is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 4pm. It accepts both walk-ins and bookings, which can be made through the Panaceum website or by calling 08 5100 9120.

In its first full day of service, the clinic saw 25 patients, a strong response from the community after just 12 days of operation.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Managing Director of Rail, Port and Core Services, Richard Cohen, said bringing the service to Wickham was about making healthcare more accessible.

“Access to quality health care is essential for regional communities and we’re proud to have secured a dedicated GP service for Wickham with Panaceum Group,” he said.

“It means local families can now see a doctor closer to home to get the care they need.”

Panaceum Group General Manager David Alcock said the organisation was committed to adapting its services based on community feedback.

“We care about our patients and serving the community – we’re listening to understand how we best provide access to high-quality and trusted healthcare in Wickham,” he said.

“We’ve already adjusted our opening days and hours to better meet the needs of the busy Wickham community.”

The mobile medical centre includes a reception and waiting area, nurses and doctors' treatment room, and an electric wheelchair lift to ensure accessibility for all patients.

Mr Alcock said Panaceum plans to expand the clinic's services in coming months.

“We intend to expand our services to offer Women’s Health Checks and Skin Assessments over the next two months as we bring in specialist GPs to address these community needs,” he said.

“We will also have Western Diagnostic blood collection services operating from the Wickham clinic to further assist busy residents in having their medical needs addressed close to home.”

Panaceum’s commitment to localised, quality care is being welcomed by the Wickham community, which has not had a local GP since 2017.