One of Australia’s largest bulk-billing corporates has entered voluntary administration.

Tristar Medical Group was founded by Dr Khaled El-Sheik, who was once labelled the ‘Dr Ed Bateman of the bush’ for setting up GP clinics across rural Australia.

The clinics at one time numbered more than 50. But they were controversial, relying on IMG doctors, usually brought into the country on limited registration and required to work under supervision.

The universal bulk-billing model was said to cause resentment with existing rural GPs amid claims the clinics were often office hours only and frequently referred more complex patient cases to ED.