It's been all hands on deck in recent times at Katoomba Medical Practice, as the staff struggled to cope with an ever-increasing workload and a shortage of doctors.
But the team is about to welcome a new face, thanks to the Mountains being designated a district of workforce shortage (DWS).
Manager at Katoomba, Lorraine Parker, said the practice will be a business sponsor of the overseas-trained Dr Aman Rana, who is moving his family to the area to settle and will start work in December.
She said they had been trying to fill the position for two years and the DWS proved critical. "Without the DWS it's difficult to attract doctors to the area."
She said the recruitment of Dr Rana, who has practised in England and was mostly recently working in Bundaberg, was part of a longer-term plan to overcome the chronic shortage of doctors, particularly in the Upper Mountains.
"We are excited that Dr Rana will be joining our practice. He has a lot of experience and he and his young family plan to become permanent residents of the Blue Mountains. He will be a valuable asset to our practice and the community," Ms Parker said.
Since the Mountains was declared a DWS last November - because its doctor-population ratio is lower than the national average - more than 16 GPs and practice staff have been recruited, according to Nepean-Blue Mountains Medicare Local (NBMML).
Dr Shiva Prakash, chairman of NBMML, said the organisation supports general practice and other primary health care providers across the region by helping them recruit and retain staff.
"It is critical that service shortages are addressed so that people can access services that keep them well and out of hospital," said Dr Prakash.
As well as the new staff, nearly 80 practices have been contracted by NBMML to provide after hours GP services (only available in the Lower Mountains up to Faulconbridge).
In addition, through consultation with local GPs and a tender process, NBMML provided grants to accredited practices and pharmacies in areas where there were service shortages to establish or enhance their after hours services.
"The use of local GP after hours services is steadily increasing as more people become aware of its availability," said Dr Prakash. "This has assisted to reduce the number of people seeking non-urgent medical attention at the hospital emergency department".
