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Ashford welcomes a new General Practitioner
29 January 2009
Ashford community members have welcomed the appointment of Dr Qingshan (John) Liu as the town’s General Practitioner (GP).
Dr Liu attended to his first patients at Ashford Community Health Centre today, Thursday 29 January.
Dr Liu will split his time between Ashford Community Health Centre (Mondays and Thursdays) and Vegetable Creek Multi Purpose Service (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays).
Director of Primary and Community Networks Scott McLachlan said Dr Liu’s appointment was positive news, for both Ashford and Emmaville community members.
Dr Liu’s visits to Ashford will be particularly significant, as his trips will eliminate the need for Inverell-based GPs to travel to the town.
“It is no secret that recruitment of General Practitioners to rural areas has been extremely difficult for many years. Currently in NSW, there are more than 250 vacancies being advertised for GP positions within rural towns, which means the process of recruiting doctors is highly competitive,” Mr McLachlan said.
“After persistent recruitment efforts, Hunter New England Health is pleased Dr Liu has come on board to offer care for two local communities, and to help lighten to load of Inverell GPs.
“The team at Inverell’s Evans St surgery played a key role in establishing and maintaining a GP service at Ashford. HNE Health is extremely grateful to the Inverell GPs who dedicated themselves to continuing the town’s GP service during the past 18 months.”
Acting McIntyre Cluster General Manager Sue Mack said Dr Liu’s expertise would be a much-welcomed addition to Ashford Community Health Centre.
"Dr Liu will bring a caring and committed approach to his role. The availability of a permanent GP will provide the level of stability required to enhance services at Ashford and Emmaville, and enable a planned approach to future service provision,” Ms Mack said.
Originally from China, Dr Liu has lived and worked in Australia since 1988, with general practice experience in Forbes and Bathurst, followed by work in a Sydney emergency department, as well as an appointment at Tenterfield Health Service.
A headshot of Dr Liu is available upon request.
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183
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