Lister House Medical Clinic has been without a full-complement of doctors since losing several doctors over two years ago. The clinic had four full-time doctor positions - if not five - vacant.  

The clinic's partner and general practitioner David Wilson has worked at the clinic for 29 years, but has never experienced a shortage on a large scale. 

Related: New doctors max out Horsham's Lister House Medical Clinic

"We had spells where the numbers have gone up and down in a much slower fashion - we might have had one or two doctors leave," he said. "To have so many leave in such a short space of time is unprecedented.

"It was just bad luck for the remaining doctors that got landed with the full workload." 

Dr Wilson said the remaining doctors had to take on the pressure of an increased workload for two years.

"There was an increased workload and the stress of doing as good of a job we could, without the amount of time we would have liked to spend with patients," he said.

Related: Wimmera doctor shortage battle to attract staff

"It was a bit rushed to maintain the service, but we wanted people to be seen than not seen at all." 

Behind the scenes, he said the doctors were working "well on into the night" to finish paperwork. 

"There was still results and paperwork coming in for the same number of patients, but half the doctors to do the work," he said. 

"After seeing patients for the day, we would be checking results, doing letters and reports until 11pm." 

Related: Special coverage | Wimmera doctor shortages

The clinic has five new doctors at the clinic, which has brought them back up to a full-complement of staff. 

Dr Wilson said the workload has reduced for doctors, which allowed them to concentrate on their areas of interest. 

"It is more satisfying as a doctor to feel like you're doing a good job and giving adequate time to patients rather than feeling rushed from morning to night," he said.

"I can put more effort and time into teaching junior doctors and students. Two years ago the teaching hours that I could do were very limited, but now I can do more regular teaching." 

Related: New doctors to join Horsham's Lister House Medical Clinic

Dr Arvind Garg is one of the new general practitioners at the clinic. He has been working in Horsham for six months. 

"I always wanted to do rural medicine and Horsham is a great area for that," he said. "The clinic has good people and great management so I decided to move here." 

Dr Garg said the clinic has offered him a variety of patients and kept him busy. 

"My interests are in pediatrics and skin and I have been able to treat patients," he said. 

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