A NEW medical practice will open in Holbrook today.
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The Hume Medical Centre will operate out of the former Westpac building on Albury Street.
The town has had limited health options after its only doctor, Arunachalam Lakshmanan, had strict conditions placed on his licence.
According to the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency, Dr Lakshmanan cannot conduct off-site consultations, see more than 80 patients a week, practice more than four days a week or practice more than five hours per day.
Roths Corner Medical Centre practice manager Gayle Mecherwood said the new clinic would increase services in the town and save people from travelling.
“It’s a very positive step,” she said.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from the Holbrook District Hospital and lots of feedback from the people of Holbrook.
“We’re looking forward to having a doctor there five days a week from 8.30am to 5.30pm.”
Dr Delakshe Sentheeran will be the sole doctor at the practice, which will be run by her husband.
Pathology services will also be run from the site, and two receptionists have been employed.
Video link facilities have been installed to link patients with specialists.
“That will mean people won’t have to travel out of Holbrook to see specialists and they won’t have to wait for long periods for treatment,” Ms Mecherwood said.
“GPs will be present to take blood pressure or examine patients if the specialists require.
“That’s something the government has really encouraged.
“The Greater Hume Shire has also been more than helpful in encouraging us to open the new centre.”
The clinic, which features three treatment rooms, will be bulk billed.
About 80 people attended an official opening on Saturday.