A shortage of doctors in regional and rural areas has been an issue for decades.
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But according to a report by the North Coast Primary Health Network, in June 2017 the Mid North Coast had the largest shortfall of GPs in the state.
'Closed books' and the sometimes weeks-long wait to see a doctor is something many in the Valley have had to contend with.
Some measures are, however, being put in place.
New incentives and changes to training programs are meaning medical postgraduates are now being trained in places like Coffs Harbour, to normalise working in regional areas.
And, locally, medical practices like Star Street in Macksville have been gaining accreditation to take on registrars.
Star Street Practise Manager Vicki Coombes said they recognised the need to attract new GPs to the area in 2009 and have been making a concerted effort to ease the problem in the Nambucca since.
They now hold accreditation with both the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and have been offering GP registrar training for seven years.
Registrars come to them as fully-trained doctors who are looking to specialise in General Practice.
In order to qualify for the program applicants have to pass demanding tests.
And Vicki will only accept the very best of those who do pass: "We have very specific needs here".
In February Star Street Medical welcomed three very experienced new registrars onto their books. One registrar who completed her GP training last year has also decided to stay on with the Practice a while longer.
And this is on top of Star Street's three principle GPs.
Our capacity to take on new patients is greater than it has been for a very long time. And we currently have same-day appointments.
- Practice Manager Vicki Coombes
"We always have emergency spots held every day, but now new patients can get in sooner. And we have online booking now for existing patients.
"We're excited - this is really good for the community."
Having open books will mean doctors will now be more able to treat a person when an issue first presents, rather than have the person discouraged by a long wait, and the problem become a "crisis".
While Vicki is excited about Star Street's full house, she is also nervous about being able to keep it that way.
Registrars sign on for six months at a time, and they must move at least once during their two years of training.
"We want to support them so they decide to return once they've finished their training," she said.
The feedback we've had is that people like being here - it's a good practice and everyone gets on with each other. When you have a nice place to work, it makes a lot of difference.
And while the allure of city living does detract some from staying, Practice Principle Rob Paton said rural areas "are much more rewarding places to be a doctor because there's so much more you can do".
"And we try to encourage access to the hospital because it increases 'the rural experience'."
Many of Star Street's registrars are also Visting Medical Officers (VMOs) at Macksville Hospital.
The three new registrars - Drs Alice Fraser, Anand Pawar and Frankie Gosewisch - have all had extensive training at hospitals before joining Star Street.
All are currently working full time in the Practice.
Dr Fraser has moved south from a practice in Toormina, and has considerable interest in opioid management and pain medication.
She said she will "definitely stay" in regional practices after her two years is up.
"That's the whole reason I became a doctor - to be of use. I think Sydney has enough doctors anyway," she said.
Dr Pawar has spent the past 12 months at Northside Clinic in Coffs Harbour.
Despite having family in Melbourne, he too would like to remain a regional practitioner.
"The clientele are lovely. And I think the lifestyle is ultimately better when you clock off work," he said.
Dr Gosewisch is a sixth generation "Mid North Coast-ian" who is currently in her first year of registrar training.
But she has already honed in on emergency medicine, working in both Coffs Harbour and Macksville hospitals. She also has an interest in palliative care.
As a youngster she was inspired by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and she fully intends to stay on the Mid North Coast to practise - "the shortage in doctors here is why I got into this in the first place".
Fellow Lauren-Marie Vernon has been with Star Street for 12 months, and is now a fully-trained GP, acing her final exams first go, which puts her in the top of her class.
Dr Vernon has enjoyed it so much she intends to stay on as long as she is able, but will eventually move to the Gold Coast where her husband runs his own business - unless, of course, Vicki can persuade him to move here too.
Even if none decide to permanently call the Nambucca Valley home, it is encouraging to hear that a regional town somewhere will benefit from their expertise.
"And it will all come back around," Vicki said.
Dr Paton believes it already has.
"Training registrars keeps us on our toes - we constantly need to refresh our own training in order to train others. So having them lifts the whole practice," he said.
Welcome to the Nambucca Valley, doctors, and may you enjoy your time here so much you never choose to leave.
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Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
