Dr Marion Lynn is working hard to vaccinate difficult-to-reach patients and workers in rural and regional areas.
Before the pandemic, the roving doctor established an outreach clinic in Comboyne, 57 kms south-west of Port Macquarie. One day a week she drives there from her Port Macquarie practice to ensure everyone in the town wanting a vaccine can get one.
‘Comboyne has a wonderful community spirit and volunteers like Leonie Stevens, Vickie Fisher and Anne Murray play a key role in helping my staff run these very successful vaccination clinics,’ she said.
Dr Lynn is working closely with Healthy North Coast in our efforts to establish vaccination hubs across the region, to ensure everyone has access to COVID-19 vaccines.
With a personal special focus on farmers, ageing people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Dr Lynn said she loves her work as each day is different and presents fresh challenges and ways to help others.
‘For example, last week I had a really busy but very successful day vaccinating lots of aged care staff at Mingaletta RACF in Port Macquarie. Then the next day I was vaccinating at Booroongen Djugun Aboriginal Aged Care in Kempsey.
‘On Saturday I was at Comboyne vaccinating all day. Then on Sunday I did some home visits to the elderly and housebound.
‘I think the most vaccinations I have done in one day is 82!’
Dr Lynn said she was very committed to all her patients. She finds it touching that so many give her homegrown fruit and vegetables as a personal thank you.
‘I generally drive home from Comboyne with avocados, lemons, oranges, or a cake someone has baked,’ she said.
‘I deeply value the relationships I build. They are all important to me, especially in this time of lockdown when we are not able to spend close personal time with loved ones.
‘I have a new grandson born in Ireland in 2020 and I have only met him via FaceTime, when normally I would have been there in person long before now. And like so many others, I have not been able to attend important family funerals because of the COVID pandemic. It has been a tough time for everyone.’
Dr Lynn said she was looking forward to the pandemic being over and being able to travel to see family and friends once more.
‘Even being able to enjoy a simple pleasure like meeting friends for a coffee is looking good right now!’