Topic: New Registrars and GPs

Baked goods from grateful patients is one of the perks of being a GP in Bowral, according to Highlands General Practice’s Dr Harshinie Jayamanna. Dr Jayamanna’s particular interests are paediatric and palliative care. She is also an accredited Antenatal Shared Care provider.

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in the Southern Highlands/Bowral LGA?

I’ve been a GP for four-and-a-half years, and in the Southern Highlands for the same amount of time, including three-and-a-half years at Highlands General Practice in Bowral. I now also work at Schwarz Family Practice in Elderslie.

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

I had always wanted to do obstetrics and gynaecology, but changed to anaesthesiology, which I did for 13 years back home in Sri Lanka.

But when you see a patient in hospital, you’re always saying ‘follow up with your GP’ and you never see them again. GPs are able to provide more comprehensive care. The patients come to their GP, and you are able to coordinate their care. As a GP, you get to know the person and what’s happening around them, you see whole families.

I like antenatal care. I see mothers and babies for things like vaccinations. Many of my first patients are four years old now. It’s amazing to see.

Being a GP is so community focused, you make connections with people and feel like you are doing something positive for them, that you can save a life. I liked hospital work as well, but as a GP you provide broader care and look after the whole person,

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

Seeing patients getting better, especially children – you know when they’re better, they’re really better, they can’t pretend to be ill.

I like paediatrics most, I feel very comfortable looking after children and delivering things like vaccines. I also like to provide chronic care. I’d say my main interests are paediatrics and palliative care.

I also enjoy engaging with lots of different people.

Bowral is a very special community, everyone knows everyone. You link in well with the hospital and the specialists are very helpful – they are just one call away with advice if you are stuck with something.

I’ve been with Schwarz Family Practice since December and it’s also a lovely place to work.

The whole team is friendly and helpful, and it’s easy to work when everyone agrees with the current Australian recommendations, especially when it comes to prescribing medications (S8).

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

Chronic disease management is well co-ordinated at our practice. We have a special nurse specifically for chronic disease management. It’s very comprehensive, so we won’t miss anything.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to spend time with my children.

I like cooking and entertaining guests. I like reading, cycling with my children when with the weather permits, and I love to travel, not that I’ve done that during the last three years.

What do you love most about Southern Highlands/Bowral?

The area! The community is very friendly.

There’s an older population here, although that’s changing now because people are moving into rural areas like Bowral because of COVID and I’m getting to see lots of new families.

I especially like caring for the older population of Bowral, they’re really lovely and do things like baking for us all the time and sending cards.

I’ve found Schwartz to be a similar practice.

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

Eat healthy and exercise.

I say to young people, avoid dangerous, risky activities. Things like vaping. We have lots of young people coming in who don’t know how to stop.

I also say talk to your GP, especially about things like your mental health, we are always here to help.