A RETIRING Kerang doctor is urging all Australian-born general practitioners to begin their careers in rural Australia.
Long-serving GP, Dr Graeme Wood confirmed at Wednesday’s Northern District Community Health annual general meeting he will be retiring in February after close to 42 years of service to Kerang’s residents.
During that time Dr Wood has helped deliver 720 babies, overseen 9840 anaesthetic doses and been on call for 420 weekends and 3936 nights.
However, it will be the 157,440 consultations during 7872 days of work he will be most remembered for.
“Graeme has been a servant of the men, women and children in this community,” colleague and friend, Dr Lindsay Sherriff said.
Dr Wood, his wife Carolyn and their three children relocated to Kerang in 1976, operating out of a building on the corner of Scoresby and Albert streets.
Dr Wood, in partnership with Dr Tim Dewhurst and Dr Roger Steer, oversaw the construction of the Fitzroy Street Medical Clinic – now a part of Northern District Community Health – in July 1985.
“Times have changed. Although doctors like to be a part of the community, they like to hold onto their own rights,” he said.
“We need to continue to work together, not just in times of floods or bushfires, but at all times.”
Dr Wood’s plea coincides with the turmoil over the cessation and then reinstatement of maternity services at Cohuna District Hospital and challenges faced by local medical clinics and hospitals to recruit and retain doctors.
Northern District Community Health chief executive officer, Mandy Hutchinson revealed this week that Dr Wood would be one of three doctors leaving the clinic early next year.
Kerang District Health, which also operates Kerang Medical Clinic, has been advertising for more than a year for a general practitioner obstetrician and, despite employing a number of midwives, the health service has been forced to terminate birthing services.
Cohuna District Hospital is also advertising for a general practitioner obstetrician to support Dr Peter Barker, who was at the centre of the community protest over the short-lived decision to bypass maternity services.
A community celebration will be held in January prior to Dr Wood’s final shift in February.
