A North Queensland general practice is hoping governments — and some new GPs — come to its rescue, as ongoing recruitment issues leave it teetering on the brink of closure.

Latitude 19 Health on idyllic Magnetic Island, just off the coast of Townsville, has always struggled to recruit GPs but this has become more difficult in recent months.

The practice’s only GP, also the sole senior medical officer with the Queensland Health emergency facility on the island, is on sick leave.

While Queensland Health is letting its emergency clinic locum work privately in the GP clinic, practice manager Kath Smith is unsure what will happen when the two-week locum ends.