Emma Pritchard
The team at Ochre Medical Centre in Grafton are thrilled to welcome Dr John Hart and Dr Ed Ford to their practice, and to officially introduce them to the Clarence Valley community.
While the Adelaide born and raised Dr Hart recently made the decision to relocate to a regional area after spending close to 20 years living and working in Sydney, his new colleague Dr Ford embarked on a much longer journey.
After growing up in the self-described “pointy bit of England”, aka Somerset, Dr Ford graduated from the London Hospital Medical College in 1999 and trained in orthopaedics before moving back to his home county to be closer to his family and subsequently commencing work as a general practitioner (GP).
With a special interest in musculoskeletal medicine and caring for elderly patients, Dr Ford and his Tasmanian-born wife, along with their two teenage daughters, re-evaluated their lifestyle a year ago and made the decision to “take the jump” and move to Australia, setting up home in the Clarence Valley.
Describing the region as beautiful and lovely, Dr Ford has already visited the coastal communities of Iluka and Yamba, and more recently, explored the Kangaroo Creek area, which he said was stunning.
As he prepares to meet his first patients this week, Dr Ford said he is looking forward to building new working relationships within the Clarence Valley and getting to know the locals while continuing to explore and experience everything the region has to offer.
“Grafton is a very welcoming community, and my family and I are very happy to be here,” he said.
“I chose the Ochre Medical Centre as my place of employment because they have a great culture here and are part of a very good organisation.
“I’ll be working with a great team of professionals, and I’m really focused on establishing holistic relationships with my patients.”
While he acknowledges the shortage of GPs in the Clarence Valley, and in many rural areas as not being an issue wholly restricted to Australia, Dr Ford said after coming from an environment overseas where GP numbers were dwindling to a country region on the other side of the world where the patient load is increasing, he is encouraging other GPs and medical professionals to explore employment opportunities outside metropolitan centres.
And so is Dr Hart.
“In Grafton, the statistics show there is one GP for every 1000 patients, while in the city there are four GPs for every 1000 patients,” he explained.
“The books here were closed for two years.
“There are definitely career options and work opportunities for GPs in country communities.”
After graduating from Flinders University with an Exercise and Sports degree in Exercise Physiology with First Class Honours, Dr Hart elected to study medicine prior to relocating to Sydney, and after previously visiting the Clarence Valley, made the permanent move north earlier this year.
While he is looking forward to experiencing his first Grafton Jacaranda Festival in the coming months, Dr Hart is also appreciating the clean air, quietness, and stress-free environment of his new surroundings after leaving the city behind.
While he lists neurodegenerative diseases as one of his special interests, Dr Hart has also completed additional courses and training in persistent and recurring pain, memory, mood, and fatigue disorders, and enjoys working with older patients to help them alleviate any ongoing medical complaints.
“I’m enjoying working here, I started a few weeks ago, and it’s a really well-run practice with great staff, and a pharmacy and pathology on site,” he said.
“I’m also enjoying getting to know my new patients and educating people on the importance of looking after yourself and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”
To book an appointment with Dr Hart or Dr Ford, please call 6640 3600.