Specialist services were gradually set up, with a Gastrointestinal Endoscopy service starting in 1970. The first Department of Nuclear Medicine in country NSW followed in 1974. The University of Newcastle set up its rural term for second-year students in 1989. A stand-alone Diabetic Clinic opened in 1997, with overnight accommodation and integration of the various disciplines involved in the management of diabetes. Physician services progressively evolved to include Nuclear Medicine, Nephrology, Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology and Neurology, with local physicians with interests in Cardiology and Gastroenterology.
All physicians participate in the general roster.
Visiting services were developed to Moree, Narrabri, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Warialda, Armidale, Manilla, Bingara, Barraba, and Quirindi. Over time, secondment and local recruitment of resident medical officer staff modified our service role with teaching and consultant components. To hear the sick lists and deaths reported at Sunday church services makes me feel close to my community. Country people in the main are generous, stoic and sensible patients to treat. But workloads for country physicians remain a significant problem.