Greater Hume, Sarkon and Murrumbidgee LHD work on full-time doc for Culcairn

Sarkon Healthcare has had Albury doctors working three days a week at the clinic bought from Jan Reddy.

Dr Reddy, whose 46 years' service was recognised at an event yesterday, held visiting medical officer rights.

Residents expressed concern at the recent lack of VMO and pathology services at a community meeting last fortnight.

Sarkon Principal Dr Niranjan Sarjapuram is facilitating Telehealth on Mondays and Fridays and wants a full-time doctor with access to Culcairn's hospital and aged care facility by the year's end.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District executive director of medical services Len Bruce said a Henty GP was caring for aged-care residents in the meantime.

"The two new doctors (visiting Culcairn) are from Albury and they have not up until now applied for visiting rights at the hospital, but our director of primary care is in negotiations with Sarkon," he said.

"Once there are additional doctors, it will be easier for them to provide VMO cover."

MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford understood community concerns and said a "more regional model" for VMO services was ideal.

"Younger doctors these days can't commit to that (being available 24/7), and we don't want them too," she said.

"Once we get the cohort of doctors here, I know Dr Bruce is going to work with them to see if we can get them into a bit of a cohort for sharing being on-call."

Ms Ludford said no doctor could replace Dr Reddy and his staunch dedication to his community.

"Dr Reddy actually is one of the most outstanding rural doctors in my career I've had the pleasure to meet," she said.

"I cannot underestimate the commitment it takes from a single person to care for a whole community in the primary care sector, as well as being on call for the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"I think we can thank Dr Reddy for his commitment.

"I'll never forget the day when Dr Reddy very excitedly, knowing that I had been a midwife, came to tell me he delivered twins.

"It just goes to show, humor-aside, a GP working in the bush has to be able to do everything."

Ms Ludford was among speakers at Dr Reddy's farewell at the showgrounds.

More than 200 people gathered to say thanks and a plaque was revealed which will go in the Culcairn hospital.

Culcairn Local Health Advisory Committee chair David Gilmore estimated Dr Reddy, who emigrated from India to become Culcairn's doctor in 1974,

"He was a 3am presence in the corridors of the hospital, attending to incidents on Christmas day," he said.

"We thank you for your contribution."

Former Albury MP Greg Aplin, who worked closely with the Culcairn doctor to see the new multipurpose service built, attended.

His successor, Justin Clancy, also paid tribute to Dr Reddy.

"Looking through the stories of Dr Reddy, very much the words that come through were around care and compassion," he said.

"It is a testament to the person.

"You will be so difficult to replace and I certainly acknowledge the challenges in that regard."

Mayor Heather Wilton said Culcairn would "probably never see anyone dedicated for that long a time".

"Sadly, those dedicated people out in the bush are just very thin on the ground," she said.

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"That's how it is, and we've just got to learn to adjust.

"I ask you all to be very supportive of the new services."

It was a highly emotional send-off for many residents and Dr Reddy himself.

"You showed so much affection and understanding," he said.

"You are my friends."