Now they can breath a sigh of relief – two doctors have answered the call (read in this paper no less) … and will be taking appointments at the new Community Health Centre from Monday, July 2.

What’s more they are faces some of you may already know –Jayne Schofield and Ryan Partridge, both of whom have previously worked in local practices and both of whom have experience in  Aboriginal health from Coffs Harbour’s Galambila Health Service.

Bowraville resident Michelle Jarrett, who was one of the first to raise the medico alarm, said it was wonderful to see how quickly the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) had responded.

“We are very pleased to have had our pleas heard so quickly,” Michelle said.

“That office is very community-minded – doctors and that service are really central to the whole community.”

Jayne comes from a nursing background and studied medicine in Armidale. Ryan hails from Houston, Texas, has been in Australia for 15 years and studied in Brisbane.

“I am really looking forward to starting – we are here to service the whole community and keen to do what people want,” Jayne said.

“It’s fabulous to be working out of this centre because the health care on offer will be so integrated.”

Ryan said they were both aware of the different levels of health literacy in the community and would be working hard to meet the wide range of needs.

“We are also very aware of the transport problems in this area – we are constantly up-skilling to help us deal with more complex issues as well,” Ryan said.

Lynn Lelean, Media and Communications Manager for MNCLHD, said the doctors would be part of the health team that was now in place in Bowraville.

“We have Child and Family Health services and allied health services over the road at Miimi House, and mental health and drug and alcohol counsellors here in the centre – it is a very solid community health service,” she said.

All doctors’ appointments will be bulk-billed.