Community welcomes new doctor at Murrurundi

25 January 2010

Hunter New England Health and Upper Hunter Shire Council are pleased to welcome former Coonamble-based doctor, Dr Younes Ismail, to the Murrurundi community.
Dr Ismail fills the role of Dr William Redmayne who left Murrurundi in December.
Dr Ismail will work primarily at Murrurundi, caring for patients at Wilson Memorial Community Hospital as well as providing GP services from newly renovated rooms at Murrurundi’s Rural Transaction Centre.
He has also kindly offered to work occasional shifts at Scone’s Scott Memorial Hospital, and will also support Murravale Nursing Home.
Tomorrow, Tuesday 26 January, Dr Ismail will introduce himself to locals and soak-up the friendly atmosphere during Murrurundi’s Australia Day celebrations at Wilson Memorial Oval from 11am.
Dr Ismail will do his first shifts at Scone hospital’s emergency department this coming weekend (January 30 and 31), and will then have his first workday at Murrurundi’s Wilson Memorial Community Hospital on Tuesday 2 February.
Upper Hunter Shire Council Mayor Lee Watts has no doubt Dr Ismail will be warmly welcomed into the Murrurundi community.
“Upper Hunter Shire Council is pleased to have been able to assist the community in attracting the services of Dr Ismail to Murrurundi. He is a highly credentialed doctor, experienced in general practice in rural towns in NSW and we would like to offer him a sincere welcome to our Shire,” Cr Watts said.
Upper Hunter Cluster General Manager Dr Debbie Jaggers said the recruitment of Dr Ismail was a huge coup for the local community.
"Recruitment to rural areas has been difficult for many years, so it is wonderful news that Dr Ismail has relocated to Murrurundi, bringing a caring and committed approach to his work as a doctor,” Dr Jaggers said. 
“Our staff in Murrurundi and Scone are genuinely excited about working with Dr Ismail and supporting him in any way possible.”
Originally from Syria, Dr Ismail has lived and worked in Australia since 2002. He has experience in emergency and trauma, and also has a strong interest in chronic disease areas such as renal failure, diabetes and asthma.
HNE Health started recruiting to replace Dr William Redmayne a number of months ago, working with a Regional GP Workforce Group, the Hunter Rural Division of GPs, and the Rural Doctors Network to fill the position.
HNE Health has also been working with additional stakeholders including Murrurundi Local Health Advisory Committee, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Scone Chamber of Commerce, and the local nursing home, in order to secure a doctor for the Murrurundi community.

Photo: A photo of Dr Ismail is available on request.

(HNE-2143)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135