We are very excited to Welcome Byrdie to the Tarawera Medical Centre. She enrolled at the medical centre on the advice of a friend who had been a Rural House Surgeon with us and enquired as to whether we may have any work when she was ready to return to work after maternity leave. After the challenges we have had in getting doctors in small town New Zealand this was almost unbelievable! Byrdie come highly recommended from her GP teachers and previously practiced in Rotorua where she pursued her cycling passion.

We are now, for the first time since the Porritt Clinic suddenly closed and landed us with a 50% increase in patients to try and care for, back up to a full complement of doctors. This has enabled us to start offering drop in clinics in the morning so that patients that need to be seen urgently can just come in without having to phone for an appointment. It has been a very challenging time for us to try and keep up with the demand and we really appreciate the frequently expressed understanding and support of our patients over these past few years.