GP Journeys: From Devon to the Margaret River (WA)

A move to Australia was always on the cards for Dr Mark Wood from the UK, and his Australian wife Dr Shelah McCormick. It was not a matter of if, but when.

Both Mark and Shelagh are GPs, and after many holidays to Western Australia to spend time with Shelagh’s family in Perth and surrounding areas, Mark and Shelagh decided 2021 was the year to start putting the wheels in motion to realise their Australian dream.

“I reached out to a few recruiters, and DXC Medical Recruitment responded almost immediately. The team were so helpful, and really took the time to listen to our plans and give us advice. We knew straight away they were the recruiters who were going to turn our Australian dream into a reality,” says Mark.

Less than one year on from that initial contact, and Mark and Shelagh have now arrived in WA - both have been able to secure GP appointments in their preferred region, with Shelagh starting work immediately thanks to her Australian qualifications. Mark is awaiting the finalisation of his AHPRA provider number, before starting his role in Busselton in a few weeks’ time.

He says the DXC approach to recruitment was really personal and proactive:

“Right from the start, we’d said to DXC that the Margaret River would be our absolute ideal, but we didn’t really think it would be possible to live and work here, knowing just how in-demand this area is. But within a few days they’d set up job interviews for both of us. They really took the initiative to make it happen.”

Mark is a UK-trained GP (MRCGP) and Shelagh holds both UK and Australian (FRACGP) qualifications, but Mark was eligible for the RACGP Specialist Stream. DXC supported Mark through the ten-month process of applications and approvals through various stages, working with the Australian Medical Council, RACGP and AHPRA.

“It’s quite a long process and there’s a lot of paperwork - to be honest, I might have given up if it weren’t for DXC Medical helping me along the way. They were there every step of the journey and kept us on-track with what we needed to do,” says Mark.

Mark and Shelagh will both begin by working in Busselton, south of Perth, while they wait for the new-build medical centre in Margaret River where they’ve both secured jobs to open.

Mark says their choice of Margaret River region was all about lifestyle:

“It’s a beautiful environment, with a beautiful climate. But most importantly, the people are just wonderful and so friendly, and it’s got a lovely pace of life. Combine all of that with the amazing wineries and coastline, and it’s a really special place. We’re so happy to be making our new home here.”

DXC Medical is committed to improving health outcomes within communities throughout Australia, by helping source high quality General Practitioners for Australian communities.

We wish Dr Mark Wood and Dr Shelagh McCormick every success in their new life together in Margaret River.

Find out more about DXC Medical’s GP relocation services at: https://www.dxcmedical.com.au/about-us/