Narellan Town Medical Centre’s Dr Esther Amarasingham was initially attracted to the diversity of general practice. As a new mother, she is now also appreciating the good work-life balance the specialty offers.
How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Narellan?
I completed my training in London in 2016 and worked as a GP over there before migrating to Australia in 2017. I have been working in Narellan since then.
When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?
I decided to become a GP during my intern years. Having completed rotations in various specialities, I must say that the diversity I saw within the general practice was one of the main driving forces for choosing this specialty. I enjoyed the challenge of seeing patients of all ages who present with a variety of concerns. Now as a mother, it is also helping me to maintain a good work-life balance.
What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?
For me what I love about being a GP is the continuity of care that I am able to provide to my patients. I feel most satisfied when my patients leave the consult room feeling satisfied with the consult and of course seeing them recover and returning back to their day-to-day life.
What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?
We place a lot of emphasis on preventative medicine. As a team we identify and remind our patients when they are due for their routine health checks and screening tests. As well as that we focus on patient education and empowerment to enable them to able to identify red flag symptoms, manage their conditions and make informed decisions about their care.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
As a new mother to a beautiful one-year-old girl most of my spare time is now taken up caring for her and keeping her entertained. As a family, we do spend a lot of time outdoors exploring zoos, parks and play areas.
Tell me about your ideal work day…
I don’t have an ideal work day, as I have mentioned every day is different and I have the opportunity to assess and support patients with a wide range of concerns.
What do you love most about Narellan?
Transitioning from working in London to Narellan seemed quite effortless due to our lovely patient base and the support and guidance from South Western Sydney PHN.
What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?
I always emphasise to my patients that for overall good health one must always take care of their mental wellbeing as well as focusing on a healthy diet and exercise.