Dr Ganga Ranasinghe, who started last year, Dr Lumbini De Silva, who’s about to start, and are both excited to join the clinic.
Practice manager Rachel Smith said the clinic was happy to welcome the first overseas trained doctors, so there are more long-term doctors seeing patients in Murchison.
“We’ve been really fortunate to bring some overseas trained experienced doctors to learn how Australia does things, being supervised by doctors Susan Furphy and Neville Leslie, who also supervise our two part-time Australian trained doctors, Drs Shaikh Hossain and Nabid Rafi,” she said.
“The internationally trained doctors are committed to being here for at least five years, whereas so far, the registrars trained through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
“While we hope current RACGP trained doctors will stay longer, it is reassuring for our staff and patients to know that Ganga and Lumbini have already committed to at least five years.”
Like many businesses, Murchison Medical Clinic has faced staff shortages. The new doctors will boost the clinic’s reach and provide more help to the community.
“Even though we serve the residents of Murchison, our patients come from the wider area,” Mrs Smith said.
“We have six doctors, but not all are full-time.
“Ganga is the only full-time doctor, all the rest are part-time, which, we hope, is really supportive of the doctors in terms of work-life balance, and feeling their best when they’re here seeing patients.”
Dr Ranasinghe was the first of the new doctors to start at MMC, and so far, she has been loving her experience in Murchison and Shepparton.
“I came to Australia for the benefit of my two kids,” she said.
“Everything is new to me in Australia, the health system and people, but all the staff here have helped me a lot.”
Her experience in Sri Lanka is extensive, covering fields like rheumatology, neurology, psychiatry and respiratory care.
“I started my career in 2001, working in government hospitals and running my own GP practice for about 20 years,” Dr Ranasinghe said.
“Chronic disease management and mental health are my preferences.”
Dr De Silva is about to officially start at the clinic soon, and is ready to get out and start helping the community.
“I’m looking forward to learning a lot and doing my best,” she said.
Dr De Silva has been practising medicine in Sri Lanka for the past 20 years, with experience in many areas.
“I’ve been more or less in the private sector until I came here,” she said.
“I’ve worked in a private hospital in Sri Lanka in the cardiology department for about 12 years.”
Both doctors said they were ready to start their journey in Australia and learn as much as possible at Murchison Medical Clinic.
Dr Ranasinghe is at the clinic Monday to Friday, while Dr De Silva will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
To book an appointment with Dr Ranasinghe, Dr De Silva or any of the doctors at Murchison Medical Clinic, you can book online with Hot Doc or call the clinic on 5826 2575.
Murchison Medical Clinic is accepting new patients based on availability.
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