The loss of three GPs in two years from the Twizel Medical Centre is nothing to get excited about, High Country Health (HCH) says.
HCH terminated the contract of Dr Tim Gardner and he finished up on Thursday.
High Country Health chairman Simon Williamson also confirmed Dr Gardner’s exit came about three weeks before the other GP at the centre, Dr Crystal Pyrak, was to leave to go back to a five-year contract in the US.
"There’s a change of doctor. One doctor has left. All the services are as normal. There are new doctors coming in. It’s a bit of a storm in a teacup," Mr Williamson said.
This means three GPs have left the centre in around two years, the news website New Zealand Doctor having reported former Twizel GP Annie Fyfe left the centre two years ago. Dr Fyfe was with the centre for about 11 years but wanted to cut her hours and was offered a contract elsewhere that gave her a reduced workload, Mr Williamson said.
"We didn’t want to lose her, but we couldn’t afford to keep her."
He said he was not at liberty to speak about issues surrounding the departure of Dr Gardner, who started at the centre in 2009.
"It’s not a decision anyone takes lightly. It’s tough in a small community when one doctor leaves. It’s regrettable, but we have to move on," Mr Williamson said.
New Zealand Doctor also reported a Dutch doctor was to arrive at the centre to serve a two-year locum contract set to start very soon and another doctor was about to sign on for three months with the possibility of extending their time.
Dr Gardner could not be reached for comment.
However, he will start at Kurow Medical Centre on November 14.
Kurow practice manager Jules Elliot said her team was thrilled to have him on board.
"It’s huge for us. We’ve been looking for someone for quite a while and to get someone people locally knew and not from overseas is just fantastic," she said.
