The Royal Flying Doctor Service is delighted to announce a highly-skilled Rural Generalist doctor with more than 20 years of experience will be based out of Warren four days a week.
Dr Francois Pretorius will start working at RFDSSE Medical Services - Warren from Monday, 9 February, and will be available for appointments Monday to Thursday. He will also be supporting the broader RFDS network, including its remote community clinics as needed.
Dr Francois is a greatly accomplished specialist Rural Generalist with advanced skills in obstetrics, skin checks and procedures, womens’ health (including Mirena and Implanon insertion), venesection, paediatrics and emergency medicine.
RFDS South Eastern Section Chief Medical Officer Dr Shannon Nott said the organisation was delighted to grow its medical leadership across western NSW and have a doctor as skilled as Dr Pretorius deliver care at Warren.
“It is widely known how difficult it is to recruit medical professionals in rural towns, so we are excited and proud to offer Dr Francois’ services to the community,” Dr Nott said.
Dr Francois began his career in South Africa before moving to Australia in 2003 and taking up a partnership in a GP clinic in Victoria.
He relocated to Queensland in 2013 to work across general practice and various hospitals, building on his clinical skills to become Director of Medical Services of the Central West Health Service, Medical Director of the Townsville Rural Hospitals Group and then Medical Superintendent of Charters Towers Hospital.
Before joining the RFDS, Dr Francois was Chief Medical Officer for Ochre Health and through that role, has an intimate knowledge of the challenges of healthcare provision in Western NSW.
The RFDS took over operation of the Warren Medical Centre in 2022, after the previous provider was unable to continue. With the RFDS setting up in Warren, locals now have access to consistent GP services, all without having to leave town and potentially travel hundreds of kilometres to access primary healthcare.
It was important to the RFDS we create a clinic which was sustainable and part of the community. We are grateful for the ongoing support and trust the residents of Warren have put in us to deliver that.
Dr Shannon Nott“Sustainable rural healthcare requires investment not just in facilities, but in people. Dr Pretorius’ appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening the local workforce so families can access care when and where they need it.”
“Not only will Dr Pretorius be able to directly support patient care, but his appointment will also see us improve our ability to train the next generation of rural doctors across the region.”
Appointments with Dr Pretorius or any of the medical staff at Warren can be booked by calling reception on 02 6847 4326.
