Guyra community set to welcome new doctor

3 June 2009

Guyra Shire Council and Hunter New England Health today announced they had been successful in securing a highly qualified and experienced General Practitioner (GP) for Guyra and the surrounding community.
Both Guyra Shire Council and HNE Health undertook an extensive search to secure the services of a doctor, following the resignation of Dr Martin Danke.
Dr Jeyakumar – or Dr Jey as he prefers to be called - will fulfil the role of Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at Guyra Multi Purpose Service from July 1. He will also provide GP services via Guyra Medical Centre.
Originally from Sri Lanka, Dr Jey has lived and worked in Australia since May 2006, with general practice and emergency department experience in Wee Waa.
He has broad-ranging medical experience and skills, including a proven track record working in emergency departments. 
Tablelands Cluster General Manager Wendy Mulligan said the recruitment of Dr Jey was a huge coup for Guyra.
“The recruitment of Dr Jey has been the result of a great partnership between Guyra Shire Council, New England Division of General Practice and Hunter New England Health,” Ms Mulligan said.
“Currently in NSW there are approximately 250 vacancies being advertised for GP positions within rural communities, which means the process of recruiting doctors is highly competitive. Towns similar to Guyra often wait more than 12 months to fill GP gaps, so we are fortunate to have been able to secure Dr Jey so quickly.”
Dr Jey will fill the position left vacant by Dr Martin Danke, who has resigned from his role of as VMO, effective as at June 30, 2009.
"Dr Jey brings a caring and committed approach to his role as a General Practitioner, and he has developed a respected reputation during his time at Wee Waa," Ms Mulligan said.
"Dr Jey really likes the Guyra area and he has told me that he is looking forward to making it his home.”
Dr Jey’s young family – wife Indrani, and children Sam, Thurkka and Ragavi - will also join him to live in Guyra.
Guyra Shire Council Mayor, Cr Hans Hietbrink, has taken the opportunity to thank Dr Martin Danke for his long and dedicated commitment to the Guyra community.
“Dr Danke has built a strong relationship with the Guyra community, and the community in turn has embraced Dr Danke and his family,” Cr Hietbrink said.
“Dr Danke has stated that he and his family will be maintaining a close link with the Guyra community and shall remain a familiar face in town.
“On behalf of council and the wider community, I’d like to thank Dr Danke for his committed service and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” Guyra Shire Council General Manager, David Cushway, praised the efforts of Hunter New England Health in securing Dr Jey for Guyra. 
“This achievement for Guyra shows what a commitment of cooperation between State and Local Government can achieve in a short time,” Mr Cushway said.
“It is great to see a doctor with Dr Jey’s experience and qualifications wish to further his career in Guyra.”

(HNE-1874)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183