BOGGABRI's only medical practice has secured a much-needed permanent doctor at a "crucial time".
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Kumosha Abeyweera has started at Ochre Medical Centre Boggabri, and will complement its medical and nursing staff as well as provide on-call help to the adjoining hospital.
The practice recently farewelled husband-and-wife doctor team Nishad Gamage and Oshadika Gunawardhana.
Practice manager Donna Grover said Ochre had been "delighted to welcome Dr Abeyweera" last week.
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"We’ve been fortunate to have fantastic medical services in the community, and as Dr Abeyweera has extensive experience in emergency medicine, her arrival will be crucial to further enhancing the facilities at our centre.
"There is always a need for better access to emergency services for patients in rural areas.
Dr Abeyweera has a bachelor of medicine/bachelor of surgery (MBBS) from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; and a diploma in child health (paediatrics) from Western Sydney University.
She has worked extensively in emergency departments and coronary care units in hospitals in Sri Lanka and Singapore.
For the past three years, she has worked as a registrar in emergency medicine at Campbelltown Hospital, Sydney.
Dr Abeyweera said she was looking forward to her work in a rural community.
“Ochre Medical Centre Boggabri stood out to me because it’s servicing a small community, where there’s a unique relationship between the practice and the community,” she said.
“In the emergency departments of larger hospitals, it’s not often that you get to follow your patients through every stage of their treatment nor be exposed to the variety of work that you get when on call in a small rural community.”
The mother of two young children, Dr Abeyweera said was also looking forward to giving her children the chance to experience country life.
“Boggabri has been one of the most welcoming communities I’ve been to, and I’m excited to work with Ochre Health’s great team of people to support local health services in the community," she said.
"It’s very heartwarming to know that you’re providing assistance to small communities where it is needed most.”
