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BEECHWORTH - CHILTERN - RUTHERGLEN - STANLEY - YACKANDANDAH Friday, February 7, 2025
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INSIDE
EASY TRANSITION
Jimmy (left), Ellie and Poppy back in the classroom as foundation students with new lessons and work with assistant principal (Early Years) and cycle 1 room director Tameeka Thommers. Story page 3. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
New citizens celebrated Page 2
Indigo Interview
Page 4
Optimistic outlook
Global recognition Page 5
Community rallying in initial stages of Beechworth Surgery doctor recruitment drive A CAMPAIGN to attract doctors to Beechworth has received strong community support in its initial stages, giving the practice a promising outlook in its mission to address the shortage in town. Beechworth Surgery in December last year embarked on a six-month drive to recruit doctors with a ‘Find Doctors $1000 reward’ initiative to engage the community to help. The surgery is one of hundreds of medical practices around the region, state and nation impacted for some
BY CORAL COOKSLEY
ccooksley@ nemedia.com.au
years by the shortage of general practitioners in rural and remote areas. Beechworth Surgery co-owner John McColl said the campaign to recruit doctors to the rural area of Beechworth had drawn significant community support. “We’ve had a number of businesses, individuals and community
groups register,” he said. Interest on the campaign website page since the drive kicked off has also spiked with close to 700 hits. Presently five full-time equivalent doctors serve a population of close to 4000 patients. A further dilemma faces the practice from scheduled doctor departures this year reducing the full-time equivalent figure to around 3.3 fulltime doctors. “The need is for six full-time equivalent doctors - ideally part-
time which is standard practice - to provide needed coverage for Beechworth and surrounds and also helps reduce burnout,” Mr McColl said. “This is equivalent to 11 doctors working part time as doctors work in other areas among them emergency, Indigenous health services or to assist with training colleagues. “The local community’s support has been crucial and fantastic, and our efforts are ongoing to attract more doctors.” ■ Continued page 4
Delivering for our community
Ellett brings up 100 Page 12
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