17 Aug A world of experience joins Timboon’s GP team

Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) is celebrating the appointment of a new GP who brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise from around the globe.

Dr Yagyadut Gupta will clock on for his first shift at the Timboon Clinic on Monday after more than three decades of experience in India, Canada and Queensland.

The father of two has run his own practice, has a Masters in Surgery (Ear, Nose and Throat  – India), worked in a dedicated Children’s Hospital and most recently managed an emergency department in QLD while also working in the GP clinic.

In addition to his ENT credentials, Dr Gupta has his Diploma in Skin Cancer Surgery and is experienced in adeno-tonsillectomies, endoscopic sinus surgery, vocal cord surgery, septoplasty, rhinoplasty, myringoplasty and tympanoplasty.

He said prolonged separation from his wife Sshally, who is also a GP, and his adult children due to COVID-19 had helped him decide to make the move to Timboon.

“We came to Australia in 2018, but my family have been living in Melbourne since last February and I have been living and working in Queesland,” he said.

“It has been very tough with COVID-19…we couldn’t see each other for nearly a year. Victoria opened up in December and it was the first time I’d seen them in 10 months.

“So being in Victoria was a big reason for me coming to Timboon. They’ll be able to visit me on weekends and I’ll be able to visit them as well (when restrictions allow), which will be good.

“Sshally isn’t working right now. She has her qualifications from India and Canada, but will need to get her license to practice in Australia and she hasn’t been able to due to COVID. Who knows in the future – maybe she can get an opportunity locally as well.”

Dr Gupta said he had been impressed with the recruitment process, the opportunity that was put in front of him and he was eager to get started in the role next week.

“Katherine (Gorringe) at the clinic and Rebecca (Van Wollingen) at the hospital were eager to get me there and something just clicked in my mind that it was the right opportunity for me,” he said.

“It will also help me gain my permanent residency in Australia, so everything has just come together for me which is great.”

Dr Gupta began his medical career in Delhi, India and once qualified, worked in Accident and Emergency before completing his ENT Masters in 1998.

He completed his residency before starting his own practice with Sshally, which they operated for 13 years before moving to Canada.

After three years working in a GP clinic and the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, an opportunity came up at Yeppoon in Queensland.

Dr Gupta held a few positions in QLD, before his most recent 12-month contract at the Biloela Hospital ended on August 15 (yesterday). He had been managing emergency and working in the GP Clinic there.

He will arrive in Timboon this Friday and start work at the clinic and hospital on Monday.