Overview
Darling River Medical Centre became part of the Ochre family in 2002. Situated in the North West of NSW in the town of Bourke it is approximately 800 kilometres from Sydney. The practice is home to a sole doctor who cares for the 2,465 (census 2011) population.
The town has been made famous over the years as the resting place of Fred Hollows the famous eye surgeon and by the Will Ogilvie poem the “Back O’Bourke”. Today the Back O’Bourke is still an iconic phrase with galleries, exhibitions and motels named after it.

Hours of operation
Mon-Fri: 9:00 am-5.00 pm, After Hours services provided through Bourke District Hospital

Billing type
At the General Practitioner’s discretion

Practice Manager
Therese Gale

Registered Nurse
Jacqueline Dellar

List of visiting and on-site allied health and pathology services
Physiotherapist – Every Thursday and Friday
Psychologist – 2 days a month
Podiatrists – 3 days every 2nd month
Sonographer – every Thursday
Chiropractor – visits from Dubbo 1 day a month
Aboriginal Health Worker – consults Monday/Tuesday & Wednesday’s
Women’s Health Nurse – consults Fridays
Dietitian – consults Thursday’s fortnightly
Paediatrician – 1 day a month

DWS
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA 4 (Remote) and RRMA 7

Fellowship Training
Location is suitable for the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)

Moratorium reduction
Up to 6 Years

Retention Grant
Up to $27000

Transition Grant
Yes

Number and type of beds
20 acute and 12 long-stay

Telephone
(02) 6872 3222

Bourke is an historic river port on the Darling River in Outback NSW. Its remote location – 780 km north-west of Sydney – led to the term “the back of Bourke” to mean the great unknown. But you’ll be surprised to discover a fascinating and exciting inland town with a rich historical tradition. For a couple of decades from the early 1860s, Bourke and other towns along the Darling River became important trading centres and transportation hubs. Today, you can walk along the town’s heritage trail or visit the Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre. Don’t miss a cruise along the Darling River aboard the paddle-boat Jandra.

Bourke is a town of about 3000 people on the Darling River 770 km north west of Sydney. Bourke is 380 km northwest of Dubbo and it takes 3 and half hours to drive.

Bourke is the resting place of Fred Hollows the famous eye surgeon and was where he started his work treating trachoma in the Australian Aboriginal population. The Prince of Wales Hospital continues to offer an excellent eye health service and cataract surgery in Bourke to this day. The term ‘Back of Bourke’ was made famous by a poem of the same name by the bush poet Will Ogilvie.

However the Back of Bourke is more than a geographic location, it’s part of the Australian language, part of the folklore. Bourke provoked author Henry Lawson to write after his visit in 1893, ‘If you know Bourke, you know Australia.

Due to the increased mining activity just outside Boggabri, there has been increased demand for both general practice and occupational general practice (including pre-employment health checks) at the practice,which has seen the increase from one to three doctors.

Hours of operation
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Billing type
At the General Practitioner’s discretion

Practice Manager
Donna Block

Nurse
One Registered Nurse and one Enrolled Nurse

List of visiting and on-site allied health and pathology services
Physiotherapist
Psychologist
Podiatrist
Dietician

District of Workforce Shortage
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA 3 (Outer Regional) and RRMA 5

Fellowship Training
Location is suitable for the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)

Moratorium reduction
Up to 7 Years

Retention Grant
up to $18000

Transition Grant
$3000

Dr Nishad Gamage (MBBS) – General Practitioner/VMO
Dr Nishad Gamage is originally from Sri Lanka and studied MBBS in Colombo. He joined the team in Boggabri in February 2014 after working at Gosford and Wyong Hospital. He holds General Registration with AHPRA and will be applying for a place on the 2015 Remote Vocational Training Scheme.
Specialty interest area: Skin and Rural Medicine

Dr Oshi Gamage (MBBS) – General Practitioner/VMO
Dr Oshi Gamage is originally from Sri Lanka and studied MBBS in Colombo. She joined the team in Boggabri in February 2014 after working at Gosford and Wyong Hospital. She holds General Registration with AHPRA and will be applying for a place on the 2015 Remote Vocational Training Scheme.
Specialty interest area: Rural Medicine

Telephone
(02) 6749 7097

The Namoi River passes through Boggabri. Fishing is a popular activity on the Namoi River.

Boggabri’s main tourist attraction is Gin’s Leap, so-called after a story of an Aboriginal girl who jumped from the cliff while trying to escape a group of men in the 17th or 18th century.

With a rich agricultural history and several recently opened coal mines the town is set for further expansion. The town boasts a nine hole golf course, bowling club and RSL Club. A modern motel, Caravan Park which has 3 cabins available (which bookings can be made through the Narrabri Visitor Information Centre, they are self-contained but must supply your own linen) and two hotels provide accommodation in the town while fuel and motor repairs are also available.

The main business area of Boggabri has over the years been found in three different streets. This makes for an interesting mix of architecture which can be explored with a walk along the Boggabri Heritage Trail.

Overview
Ochre Health Medical Centre Bathurst will be opening on the 23rd February 2015. The practice is located in a purpose built building on the grounds of Charles Sturt University.

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm

Billing Type
Private billing – students and health care card holders will be bulk billed

Practice Manager
Donna Corby

Registered Nurses
Full time registered nurse

On-site services

DWS
No

RA and RRMA classification
RA 2 RRMA 4

Dr George Waters (MBBS DA FFARCS) – General Practitioner
Dr Waters graduated from Monash University in Melbourne in 1971 before moving to the UK where he completed his Diploma and then Fellowship in Anaesthetics at the Faculty of Anaesthetics Royal College of Surgeons in London. Returning to Australian in 1979 George has spent has career working in general practice and anaesthetics [as a Specialist Anaesthetist until 2012] in a diverse range of locations from Christmas Island to Strahan on Tasmania’s rural west coast.
Specialist interest areas: Pain Medicine and Communication in General Practice

Address
Building 1470, Charles Sturt University,
Panorama Avenue,
Bathurst NSW 2795

Telephone
(02) 6331 9444

Overview
An Ochre practice since July 2009, the Barham Medical Centre is home to four doctors and is the sole medical centre servicing Barham and Koondrook. The doctors in the practice provide hospital on call services to Barham Koondrook District Hospital, which has 8 acute, 10 aged care and 1 accident & emergency bed.

Hours of operation
Mon-Fri: 9am-5.00pm (not open on weekends)

Billing type
At the General Practitioner’s discretion

Practice Manager
Joan Simeon

Nursing
The practice has one Registered Nurse and one Enrolled Nurse, currently in RN training

List of visiting and on-site allied health and pathology services
Dorevitch Pathology 5 mornings per week
Occupational Therapist specialising in Mental Health 1 day per week
Healthy Sleep Studies visit 1 day per month

Excercise Physiologist fortnightly

DWS
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA3 – Outer Regional and RRMA 7

Fellowship Training
Location is suitable for the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)

Moratorium reduction
Reduced to 7 years

Retention Grant
Up to $18,000 per year

Transition Grant
Yes

Name of hospital
Barham Koondrook Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital

X-ray services on Wednesday mornings, Women’s’ Health, Dietician, Speech Pathologist, Mental Health, Healthlink Professional, Social Worker. Continuum of Care and Palliative Care meeting held once a month with various allied health workers and doctors and practice nurse.

Interesting facts about the hospital
The Barham Koondrook Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital was built with significant community contribution post war, and opened in 1955 by NSW Governor, to commemorate the services of men and women of our district who served in WW2.

The hospital has a very active Auxiliary, which raises funds for medical equipment etc. The well-equipped hospital has been upgraded on a number of occasions, notably in 2012 Barham Community Health was relocated in a new building to upgrade their facilities and is attached to the hospital. Also a new Palliative Care Suite has been added which caters for families of Palliative care patients.

Eliza House is a residential aged care facility also attached to the hospital, with 10 beds.

Dr. Harpreet Pannu (MBBS) – General Practitioner/VMO
Dr Pannu is originally from Malaysia and completed his MBBS at Melaki-Manipal Medical College in 2008. Harpreet moved to Australia in 2011 and spent 3 years at Bendigo Hospital where he progressed to become a registrar with the Intensive Care Unit. Harpreet joined the Barham Medical Centre in April 2014 and is planning to work towards fellowship via the Remote Vocational Training Scheme.
Specialty interest areas: Emergency Medicine

Dr Christine Martin (MBBS, FRACGP, DipRACOG, DipVEN) – General Practitioner/VMO
Dr Christine Martin comes from a large medical family in rural Victoria. After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1974, Christine spent time working in the UK in obstetrics at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford and general medicine at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton. Moving back to Australia in 1978, Christine spent a year as a paediatrician in the Special Care baby unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital. Going on to work as a Locum GP in rural Victoria, then settling down to work as a GP in Wheelers Hill Melbourne, Rosedale Community Health Care Centre and Lochsport Outreach Services. Christine ran the STI clinic at Latrobe Regional Hospital for 25 years after completing her venereology studies at Alfred Hospital.
Outside of medicine Christine enjoys spending her time competing within the equestrian discipline of dressage as well as relaxing with walks through nature.
Specialty area Interests: women’s health, emergency medicine and paediatrics.

Telephone
(03) 5453 1722

Barham is a pretty riverside town on the Murray River, with lakes and nearby red gum forests to explore. Its twin town is Koondrook in Victoria. Barham is a great spot to base yourself if you’d like to enjoy recreation activities along the Murray.

Barham Lakes is a great place to start. Surrounded by grasslands and native plants, the lakes have excellent picnic spots, a walking track and riverbank beach for hot days. If you enjoy fishing then head off with a local operator on a fishing trip on the Murray River for Murray Cod and golden perch. Barham has its own championship golf course, one of the finest of the many courses along the Murray. Don’t miss Barham Bridge.

This attractive town straddles the Murray River and offers relaxing riverside breaks and great fishing in both the river and nearby lakes.

Overview
Ochre Health Medical Centre Casey opened on the 2nd December 2014 and has the capacity for 10 GPs. There is an onsite pharmacy, pathology and a range of allied health services available.

Hours of operation
Monday-Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm

After hours
If the doctors are unavailable, you may contact CALMS (Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Service) on 1300 422 567 for an alternative arrangement. CALMS in an accredited deputising medical service run by Canberra GPs (including your doctor) to provide quality AH cover all over Canberra with adequate feedback to your doctor.

Billing type
Ochre Health Medical Centre Casey is a private billing practice. Pensioners, Health Care Card Holders and children under 16 years may be bulk billed, please ask reception for a fee for your specific requirement.

Practice Manager
Kylie Tubey

Nursing
One Registered Nurse and One Enrolled Nurse

List of visiting and on-site allied health and pathology services
Pathology

DWS
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA1 / RRMA 1

Dr Antoinette Kanagasuntherie (MBBS, MRCP, nMRCGP, FRACGP ) – General Practitioner
Antoinette is originally from Sri Lanka and studied Medicine in Nigeria. She spent the last 20 years in the UK and Republic of Ireland where she trained and later worked as a GP. She provides a full range of services including assessing and managing patients with acute and long term illnesses, cancer care, mental health, antenatal and women’s health (including insertion and removal of Implanon and both Mirena and copper coils),sexual health, sports injuries , dermatology and health promotion. Antoinette splits her time working 3 days per week in Casey and 2 days per week in Bruce.
Specialty Interest Areas: Sports Medicine and Women’s Health

Telephone
(02) 6163 4200

Until 1990, Casey was part of the former ‘Gold Creek’ a 3,940-acre (15.9 km2) rural property with the Gold Creek Homestead at its centre. The relative flat and even topography of portions of the suburb of Casey was ideal for various pursuits including horse racing, and was the site of a practice track for racing horses.[4] A stand of trees parallel to Horse Park Drive which predates the establishment of the village (now the suburb) of Hall marks the original alignment of the Queanbeyan-Yass Road.

Overview

Located in a busy shopping centre the Ochre Health Medical Centre Calwell opened in July 2011 with two doctors, the Calwell practice and has grown successfully to nine doctors with room to increase to ten over time. Ochre Health Calwell is an AGPAL Accredited Private billing General Practice. This practice is committed to providing comprehensive General Practice care to all individuals and families in this community.

Ochre Health Medical Centre Calwell has been established with financial assistance from the Australian Federal Government under the Superclinics program.

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Closed Sundays and public holidays

After Hours
If the doctors are unavailable, you may contact CALMS (Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Service) on 1300 422 567 for an alternative arrangement. CALMS in an accredited deputising medical service run by Canberra GPs (including your doctor) to provide quality AH cover all over Canberra with adequate feedback to your doctor.

Billing type
This is a private billing practice.

Practice Manager
Sue Evans

Registered Nurses
There are 2 Registered Nurse’s working at Ochre Health Calwell.
Services provided by the Registered Nurse’s are: CDM and Health Assessments, Immunisations, Wound dressings, Ear Syringing, Removal of Sutures and any other services that the doctors request.

List of visiting and on-site allied health and pathology services
Dietician
Brindabella Hearing
Speech Pathology

DWS
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA 1- Major Cities and RRMA – 1

Dr. Paresh Dawda (MBBS, DRCOG, DFRSH, FRCGP, FRACGP) – Medical Director ACT GP Super Clinic
Dr. Paresh Dawda is an experienced GP who provides the full range of General Practice services. These include assessment of symptoms, investigations and referrals as appropriate, management plans and team care arrangements for people with long term conditions, mental health plans, work cover consultations, minor surgical procedures, family planning including Implanon insertion and removal (but not coils or Mirena), health promotion and prevention including obesity, smoking cessation, baby checks and antenatal and postnatal shared care.
Specialty interest areas: Chronic disease management and heart disease

Dr. Patrick Leerdam (MBBS / FRACGP) – Medical Co-ordinator
Patrick joined Ochre Health Calwell after 21 years of running his own practice in Chifley. Patrick thrives on the challenge of general practice.
Specialty interest areas: Family medicine

Dr. Graeme Harrison (MBBS Dip RACOG) – General Practitioner
Dr Graeme Harrison relocated his Medical Practice to Ochre Health Calwell in July 2011, after establishing and managing his successful General Practice in Gowrie for over thirsty years. He enjoys all aspects of General Practice, especially family health and minimising chronic disease by encouraging a proactive approach to mental and physical well-being.
Specialty interest areas: Women’s, men’s and adolescent health, pediatrics, obstetric shared care, asthma and preventive medicine.

Dr. Deepica Amarasuriya (MBChB; Dip Obst; FRACGP) – General Practitioner
Dr Deepica Amarasuriya joined Ochre Health Calwell in July 2011.
Specialty interest areas: Women and children’s health and Oncology

Dr.Dilipan Shanmugam (MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, DLO, DRCOG) – General Practitioner
Dr.Shanmugam is an experienced GP, recently relocated to Australia. He has gained extensive general practice experience and has obtained MRCGP in the UK. He enjoys all aspects of general practice but has a special interest in Diabetes, ENT and Heart Diseases.
Specialty interest areas: Diabetes, Head and Neck (ENT) conditions and heart diseases.

Dr. Helen Morrison (MBBS DCH DRACOG) – General Practitioner
Dr Morrison has been a local practitioner in the Canberra area for 25 years. Dr Morrison commenced at Ochre Health Calwell in October 2012.
Specialty interest Areas: Men’s, women’s and children’s health and minor procedures

Dr. Ann Richardson (MBBS, FRACGP) – General Practitioner
Ann moved to Ochre Health Calwell from Chifley.  She enjoys all facets of general practice but has a particular interest in skin and skin cancer management. Ann enjoys the challenge of educating medical students.

Dr. George Chan (MBBS MAMAS) – General Practitioner
George has been a general practitioner for 25 years.
Specialty interest Areas: Acupuncture and qualified diving medical examiner.

Dr. Marguerite Le Riche (MBChB. FRNZCGP) – General Practitioner
Dr Le Riche specialises in all aspects of family medicine.

Telephone
(02) 6291 0045

Overview
Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce opened it’s doors in February 2014 and is located in the Belconnen district of Canberra. 2,400sqm in size and spread over four floors, the medical centre shares occupancy with the University of Canberra, who are located on the third floor. The practice is currently home to 11 doctors with the capacity to grow to 18 doctors with a wide range of supporting allied health services, supported by CDM trained nurses.

Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce has been established with financial assistance from the Australian Federal Government under the Superclinics program.

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 7:00am – 7:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

After Hours
If the doctors are unavailable, you may contact CALMS (Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Service) on 1300 422 567 for an alternative arrangement. CALMS in an accredited deputising medical service run by Canberra GPs (including your doctor) to provide quality AH cover all over Canberra with adequate feedback to your doctor.

Billing Type
This is a private billing practice. Pensioners, Health Care Card Holders and children under 16 years may be bulk billed, please ask reception for a fee for your specific requirement.

Practice Manager
Darla Smith

Registered Nurses
There are 4 Registered Nurse’s working at Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce.
Services provided by the Registered Nurse’s are: CDM and Health Assessments, Immunisations, Wound dressings, Ear Syringing, Removal of Sutures and any other services that the doctors request.

List of visiting and on-site allied health and pathology services
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Counsellor
Audiometry Services
Pathology
Dietitian
Pharmacy

DWS
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA 1 (Major Cities) and RRMA 1

Dr Paresh Dawda (MBBS, DRCOG, DFRSH, FRCGP, FRACGP) – Medical Director ACT GP Super Clinic
Dr. Paresh Dawda is an experienced GP who provides the full range of General Practice services. These include assessment of symptoms, investigations and referrals as appropriate, management plans and team care arrangements for people with long term conditions, mental health plans, work cover consultations, minor surgical procedures, family planning including Implanon insertion and removal (but not coils or Mirena), health promotion and prevention including obesity, smoking cessation, baby checks and antenatal and postnatal shared care.
Specialty interest areas: Chronic disease mangement, heart disease, education and training.

Dr Michael Brown – General Practitioner
Dr Brown is currently working as a GP at the Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce practice. He studied MBBS from Sydney in 1980.
Speciality interest Areas: Men’s Health and Paediatrics.

Dr Chris Harrison (FRACGP & FACRRM) – General Practitioner
Dr Harrison is a highly experienced Canberra GP who joined Ochre Health in July 2013. He completed his MBBS from Sydney in 1984 and also has a degree in DRANZCOG.
Speciality interest Areas: Family Medicine, Antenatal care, Work Health and Minor Surgery.

Dr Esther Hyams-Elijah (FRACGP)– General Practitioner
Dr Hyams-Elijah has worked in Canberra since 2001 in the field of general practice and at both Calvary and Canberra hospitals. She attained her MD in Israel in 1979 and gained fellowship of the RACGP in 2009.
Speciality interest Areas: Worker’s compensation, Minor surgeries, Implanon, Women’s Health, Children’s Health and Mental Health.

Dr Antoinette Kanagasuntherie (MBBS, MRCP, nMRCGP, FRACGP ) – General Practitioner
Antoinette is originally from Sri Lanka and studied Medicine in Nigeria. She spent the last 20 years in the UK and Republic of Ireland where she trained and later worked as a GP. She provides a full range of services including assessing and managing patients with acute and long term illnesses, cancer care, mental health, antenatal and women’s health (including insertion and removal of Implanon and both Mirena and copper coils),sexual health, sports injuries, dermatology and health promotion. Antoinette splits her time working 3 days per week in Casey and 2 days per week in Bruce.
em>Specialty Interest Areas: Sports Medicine and Women’s Health

Dr Karen Pahlow (FRACGP) – General Practitioner
Dr Pahlow is working as a GP at the Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce practice. She has studied MBBS and DipRACOG in 1988.
Speciality interest Areas: Antenatal care, Paediatrics and Women’s Health.

Dr Mrin Ponnamblam (MBBS, FRCOphth, ICO) – General Practitioner
Dr Ponnamblam is currently working as a GP at the Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce practice. She completed her studies from UK in 1991 and holds a MBBS degree. She also a FRCOphth degree since 2003 from UK.
Speciality interest Areas: Women’s Health and Ophthalmology.

Dr Doug Rogers (FRACGP)- General Practitioner
Dr Rogers is currently working at the Ochre Health Medical Centre Bruce practice as a GP. He has studied MBBS from Sydney, Australia in 1968.

Dr Sivaprasad Sunil (MBBS) – General Practitioner
Dr Sunil has relocated to Australia with his family from the UK in October 2013 and brings with him extensive experience in general practice. Sunil started at Ochre Medical Centre Bruce on it’s opening day.
Specialty interest area: Dermatology

Dr David Voon (FRACGP) – General Practitioner
Dr Voon is one of Ochre Health most experienced doctors. He has completed BMedSc, MBBS, and FACNEM from Tasmania in 1976.
Specialty interest Areas: Vasectomy, Minor Surgery, In-Grown toe nail, Acupuncture and Men’s Health.

Dr Wayne Wardman (MBBS) – General Practitioner
Wayne Wardman graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1978 where he was awarded Honours. He has a Certificate in Family Planning. Wayne came to Canberra to serve his Intern and Resident years at Canberra Community Hospital as it was known then. Wayne has served in a variety of roles in the ACT including a Health Centre GP, a Commonwealth Medical Officer, working at the Defence Joint Services Medical Centre and a stint as Director of Emergency at Woden Hospital. He enjoys all aspects of General Practice but especially treating children and teenagers.
Speciality interest Areas: Children and adolescents, Family planning

Dr Sue Baglow (MB BS DRCOG) – General Practitioner
Dr Sue Baglow graduated from the University of Queensland as a general practitioner going onto obtain her Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Scotland. Sue has spent majority of her career working in Queensland in general practice, then moving to Melbourne before moving to Canberra with her husband so they could spend more time with their daughter.
Specialty interest areas: antenatal care, paediatrics, women’s health, men’s health, refugee health, medical education, and all aspects of holistic patient care.

Telephone
(02) 6180 8500

Overview
Lancefield Country Practice joined the Ochre network in April 2015. The Practice prides itself on providing stable and ongoing medical service to the community of Lancefield and the surrounding areas. Lancefield Country Practice offers a range of services including general family medical care, ante-natal checks, immunistations, handling minor emergencies, stablisiing patients requiring transfer, development of care plans for chronic or complex issues, removal of skin lesions, facial rejuvenation as well as clinics for diabetes, weight management, smoking and self esteem.

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday 8:30am – 1pm
Closed Public Holidays (Open Easter Saturday)

After Hours
For after hours please contact Medicare Local Health Services on 1800 022 222

Billing Type
This is a mixed billing practice. Bulk Billing Health Care, Pension Card Holders and Children under 16.

Practice Manager
Karen Bowden

Registered Nurses
Four Registered Nurses
Services provided by the Registered Nurses are: Chronic Disease Management and Health Assessments, Immunisations, Wound dressings, Ear Syringing, Removal of Sutures and any other services that the Doctors request.

On-site services
Pathology
Physiotherapy
Psychologist

DWS
Yes

RA and RRMA classification
RA 2 RLRP

Address
17 High Street
Lancefield, VIC, 3435

Telephone
(03) 5429 1362