CANBERRA: Dr Andy is farewelled by staff at the Young and District Medical Centre.
SECURING an appointment with a doctor at Young District Medical Centre may be all that more tricky now with the departure of Dr Andy Xie to Canberra.
Young District Medical Centre practice manager David Kay said Dr Xie saw about 160 patients a week – but no replacement for the position is yet confirmed.
“Young has been very well served over the last two years but we are coming into a very difficult time with Dr Andy’s departure and a number of other doctors unavailable,” Mr Kay said.
Dr Xie was a registrar under the Coast City Country Training Group and completed his Royal Australian College of General Practice Fellowship training while working in Young – he finished that in February this year.
Mr Kay said Dr Xie took no time to settle into the town and acquire a patient base very quickly.
“It was because of his dedication and thorough approach to his medicine and his patients – he will be sorely missed,” Mr Kay said.
Mr Kay said if patients have ongoing medication needs they should seek to secure appointments quickly.
“When all appointments at the medical centre have been filled we can only advise the patients that if urgent medical attention is required they attend the hospital,” he said.
“Doctors are not machines, they cannot work 24/7 – they are human with families who also require their attention,” Mr Kay explained.
So how do patients cope with limited appointments?
“During the current difficult time all I can say is listen to the receptionist and take their advice in regard to medical appointments,” he said.
He said patients should advise the medical centre at least 24 hours in advance if they no longer require appointments.
“Patients who do not show for their appointments and do not give us adequate notice of their non-attendance have no consideration for others,” he said.
“Patients are reminded that the Young District Medical Centre is a private medical practice and not an extension of the local hospital,” Mr Kay said.
Mr Kay said medication scripts cannot be given by a doctor who has not consulted with the patient.