Dr Yousuf Ahmad

I am a GP working at Inglis Medical Centre (IMC) in Sale. IMC is a multidisciplinary general practice with 15 GPs, including GPs in training (registrars and IMGs), visiting specialists, allied health and onsite pathology and pharmacy services. As a visiting medical officer for Gippsland Health Services I also provide afterhours, emergency care, residential and palliative care.
 

As a medical professional I learned invaluable skills during my stay in South Africa especially in emergency medicine trauma and infectious disease. Other than my clinical role I also had a management role as Medical Superintendent of regional hospitals and satellite clinics and mobile units. When I moved to far north QLD, I joined a hospital, working as a procedural GP. I enjoyed the variety of work, clinical freedom and direct connections with the community. Since I moved to Sale in 2003 I have continued my general practice role, but I had to give away much of the procedural work.

I really enjoyed the clinical freedom, community connections and the lifestyle.

My wife is a GP as well so we adopted that lifestyle and continued to work in regional areas away from all of the pressures of life.
 

Sale is a regional town and it has everything that you need with regards to natural attractions, access to education and sports facilities and a community mix of people. Some of them have been farmers for many generations as well as many professionals who come and work in all in gas fields close to the Sale area. The travel distance to Melbourne is two and a half hours which is manageable if you have to go to the city.

Having said that it doesn't take us very long to come back to Sale.

Rural practice gives you clinical independence and the ability to use a variety of skills. You do not get bored as there is always a new challenge as well as the ability to have multiple roles as a GP, mentor, educator, counsellor, manager etc.

My most recent one is the team effort and our sub regional collaboration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has changed our practice culture, team interaction and collegiality.

To strengthen the connections between RACGP and rural GPs.

To improve engagement of council and the RACGP in general with rural GPs and listen to their suggestions and concerns.

To enhance RACGP’s role in rural general practice workforce issues and the Rural Generalist Pathway.

As a GP in South Africa I was leading a project to collaborate with one of the major corporations to build a new section in my hospital. I was fortunate enough that Mr Nelson Mandela with his personal interest took the initiative to bring private funders to the hospital and I was very lucky to meet him in person. I still cherish the memory and the learnings from a true leader.