Berrigan has a full time doctor for the first time in three years.
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Dr Hewa Chandana Mutukumarana — who goes by Dr Chandana — started with the Berrigan Medical Centre yesterday.
He will also reside in Berrigan.
Dr Chandana’s start coincides with an exciting new era for the Berrigan Medical Centre, which last week officially came under the umbrella of Finley Regional Care.
FRC CEO Ben Levesque said all involved in the recruitment were surprised it had been completed so quickly.
He said with the changes to management now also finalised, the centre can get back to doing what it’s meant to — take care of the region.
‘‘It’s very exciting (to have Dr Chandana on board),’’ Mr Levesque said.
‘‘It’s a good surprise, because we didn’t think we’d have things finalised this quickly.
‘‘The transfer of business (to FRC) only happened last week, and in the meantime we’ve also been lucky enough get a doctor starting.
‘‘The idea behind taking on the medical centre was about securing medical services in Berrigan, as well as doctors, as we did with Finley 13 years ago.
‘‘It was also to secure employment for the existing staff.
‘Now (as of this week) we have full services in Berrigan again.
‘‘It is really exciting for Berrigan, as they haven’t had that for quite a long time.’’
Dr Saad Mohammed has been Berrigan’s doctor for more than a decade, working on a part-time basis in recent years.
He announced earlier this year he would be moving to Melbourne permanently, no longer splitting his time between his family there and his work in Berrigan.
Mr Levesque said to start, Dr Chandana will only cover services at the Berrigan Medical Centre.
He will need to complete further accreditation before he can be added to the on call register at the hospital.
‘‘This will help with improved care, preventative care, and health promotion, which will really benefit the town,’’ Mr Levesque said.
‘‘It will mean community members will not have to travel to see a doctor, and they can see a doctor more often if required.
‘‘Dr Chandana will look after (Berrigan) hospital and Amaroo, as well as the medical practice.
‘‘It’s a positive change for the Berrigan community.’’
The new GP already has some experience in country medicine, coming to Berrigan from Condobolin in the state’s central west.
‘‘He’s been working for quite a while and he’s familiar with smaller towns,’’ Mr Levesque said.
‘‘He’s been the only doctor in that town, so he understands a bit of isolation and working on his own.’’
Berrigan Local Health Advisory Committee chair Tony Taylor welcomed the news of the recruitment, saying it is ‘‘a positive move all round’’.
‘‘It’s fabulous to have a full time doctor here,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s been difficult over the last 12 months, due to COVID as well.
‘‘To have somebody step up, come in here and live in the town, and have our own doctor again, will be a great benefit to people here.’’
Mr Taylor said Berrigan residents being forced to travel for care was having a compounding impact on surrounding communities, with some locals being told recently the Finley surgeries were unable to take on any more patients.
He said some residents chose to travel to be closer to full time medical practices.
He said that pressure should now ease.
‘‘What I hope is that people who have travelled to other areas to see doctors will come back, and give this guy a try,’’ Mr Taylor said.
‘‘Then hopefully those people will stay in the town.’’
Cadet journalist