Local doctors encourage more GPs to work in the Macleay

Owner of Crescent Head Medical Centre Dr Syeda Kazmi said she has noticed the increase in patient numbers at the practice over the past year.

"A lot of the doctors in Kempsey and South West Rocks books are full and we've seen more and more patients coming to us for appointments," she said.

Dr Kazmi and her husband moved to Crescent Head from Sydney around eight years ago and she said the experience that rural doctors have is more rewarding for her than in the city.

"Country GPs have more of a rapport with patients and create strong connections.

"Over the years that I've been here, my skill set has improved so much because of the variety of patients and their medical concerns."

Dr Kazmi was the single GP at Crescent Head Medical Centre until almost 12 months ago when they took on Dr Preyangka Pea.

"Having experienced being a single GP, we do really need more doctors in the area. But having Dr Pea join us over the last few months has been really helpful and she has been taking half of the load of patients.

"We're very lucky that we have her."

Dr Pea has lived in Kempsey for a number of years but this is the first position she has taken as a doctor after graduating.

"I have lived in Kempsey for the past six years and saw a need for more doctors in the area," she said.

"Working in Crescent Head has been really good because it's close to home and I'm able to provide assistance to the community.

"I have noticed an increase in patients during the months that I've been here due to the need for doctors."

Crescent Head Medical Centre's books are open and Dr Kazmi said they always try and take patients who desperately need to see a GP.

"We try to keep a couple of appointments open each day in case there's an emergency or someone really needs to see a doctor," she said.

Both Dr Kazmi and Dr Pea encourage more doctors to work in the Macleay area due to the high demand for local GPs.

"It would be good to have more doctors in the area and I hope that we will get more," Dr Kazmi said.

"I would encourage more doctors to work in country areas and to work here," Dr pea added.

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