The medical clinic in the Sunrise IGA retail complex has reopened, thanks to the team from Sinamed Family Practice in Ocean Shores.
Dr Hassan Abdelkawy opened the Ocean Shores clinic two and a half years ago and says when he started seeing elderly patients having to travel from Sunrise after their clinic closed suddenly last month, he knew he had to do something.
The Egyptian migrant has only been in Australia six years but after training as a surgeon in Ireland and practicing in the Gulf, he was quick to pass his Australian accreditations, serve time in local hospitals and under an Australian GP, and set up his own practice.
When asked how he chose what some might consider the less glamorous career of a GP, compared to that of a surgeon, Dr Hassan says he likes helping a diverse community and having time to continue his other love, teaching medicine.
‘I have a passion to teach and supervise and give my experience to the next generations,’ Dr Hassan says.
Patients at the newly reopened The Bright Side Medical and Skin Cancer Centre can expect to see the occasional student doctor by Dr Hassan’s side in the clinic – patients can also refuse to have the student in the consulting room.
Where Casino meets Cairo: Byron’s Bright Side
The Sunrise clinic’s reopening would not have been possible, Dr Hassan says, without the help of his Ocean Shores clinic Practice Manager Annalea Patch.
Ms Patch grew up in Casino and has managed various medical clinics and services across the Northern Rivers but had to be coaxed back to paid work out of time deliberately taken to spend at home.
The single parent of a teenager finishing high school says she only considered the invitation to join Dr Hassan because they were ‘on the same page’ when it came to community interests.
‘Two years ago, I was trying to take a step back,’ Ms Patch says, ‘but he is full of drive, he’s full of vision, and it pulls you along’.
‘So now here I am, starting up another medical centre with him and hoping to see it through and be another prosperous business, like it was years ago,’ Ms Patch says of the Sunrise clinic.
‘Before they decided to close it, they had three or four doctors operating, and it was busy and providing a service to the community.
‘That’s where I want to see it again, I don’t want the community to lose a GP practice when they’re so hard to come by.’
Bulk-billing and happiness profits
Bulkbilling at the Sunrise clinic is available for all health care and veteran card holders as well as those aged under sixteen but Ms Patch says if anyone else is struggling financially, they can discuss payment arrangements with her.
‘Just come and see me, have a chat to me,’ she says, while Dr Hassan nods in agreement.
‘It’s not going to happen every time but if I understand that your car is broken down, I am happy to take it on board and talk to the doctor for you.
‘We don’t want anybody to miss out on the medical care that they need because they don’t have that $40 that day.’
Dr Hassan puts it another way, and despite being relatively new to the Northern Rivers, his words may resonate with locals.
‘Once I hear from a patient that I make a change in his life or her life, I’m happy, really,’ he says, ‘this is some of the profit that you get, happiness’.
The somewhat unlikely pair is to be joined in coming months by another five GPs, including female doctors, allowing for the clinic to eventually open on weekends.
The clinic opened last Wednesday, is taking appointments Monday to Friday and is to continue offering both general medical and skin specialist services.
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