News

Cardiologist ‘heads home’ to deliver expert health care

Jun 24, 2020

An interventional cardiologist has returned to his home town of Coffs Harbour to implant the first pacemaker for the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Dr Austin May, who was born and raised in Coffs Harbour, has recently joined the team at Baringa Private Hospital as an interventional cardiologist and cardiac devices specialist.

“Before Baringa Private Hospital’s new services, people could not receive a pacemaker anywhere between Newcastle and the Gold Coast,” Dr May said.

“The local cardiology services were excellent but for pacemakers, the Coffs residents had been travelling to Newcastle or Sydney and it’s a long way for people to go, especially the elderly.”

“I’m excited that we can now offer the latest pacemaker and defibrillator services in Coffs Harbour,” he said.

Dr May returns to Coffs Harbour with his wife and their two young sons. Growing up, he had witnessed people travelling for health care and felt he could provide something back to the community - but knew it would take dedication and long-term commitment.

Dr May studied medicine as part of the Rural Clinical School Program which encourages doctors to return to regional areas. He said he hopes by introducing new specialist services to the Coffs Harbour community, he is a testament to the success of that program.