Dr Emma Lyster voted as Townsville’s best GP in 2024

Dr Emma Lyster from Cranbrook Medical centre has been voted in as Townsville’s best GP. Find out what it is about her role that she finds so rewarding.

General Practitioners support their patients through the inevitable highs and lows of life, and for Townsville’s best GP, being a kind face to turn to during those times is what makes her job so rewarding.

Dr Lyster was born in Townsville but moved to Brisbane when she was six where she later went on to complete a science degree in psychology and a postgraduate in medicine at the University of Queensland.

“My dad was a psychiatrist and my mum was a social worker so I always grew up thinking I’d rather do psychology or medicine,” Dr Lyster said.

Dr Emma Lyster, at Cranbrook Medical, has been voted Townsville's best GP. Picture: Evan Morgan

After a practical placement in Townsville with Dr Maggie Mackay, she became drawn to general practice due to its rewarding nature.

She has now called Townsville home for 16 years and has worked in multiple medical centres around the city including Townsville Family medical centre.

Two years ago she joined the team at Cranbrook medical centre where she now treats a wide range of patients including families who she has cared for across four generations.

Townsville Family Medical Centre Doctors, Dr Emma Lyster, Dr Jody Waters, Dr Kate Walduck and Dr Ben Ponti have been nominated in Townsville's Best Family GP poll. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“You do get to know people personally because you’re seeing them at the best of times and at the worst of times so I always try to be pretty open and human,” Dr Lyster said.

“I laugh with my patients every day and sometimes I cry with them as well so I try to put a lot of myself into my work and that’s probably what’s really rewarding.

“You see people when they are getting good news or when they are getting bad news like bringing in a baby wish is always lovely and when they’ve lost someone so you’re really privileged to have that insight.”

Dy Lyster specialises in paediatrics and women’s health but said that being a GP means facing a diversity of situations each day which allows her to continue learning and adapting within her practice.

“Sometimes you come home really exhausted because you are giving a lot of yourself to patients but I wouldn’t not want to have that aspect of my work because I think that’s probably the most precious part,” she said.

“It’s when you may not necessarily be able to help people solve what’s going on but be with them and offer them support which I think is always useful just so they know they are being heard.”

Dr Lyster said it “was a real honour” to be named Townsville’s best GP and wanted to thank all her patients for voting as well as her team at Cranbrook Medical centre for their continued support.

Originally published as Dr Emma Lyster voted as Townsville’s best GP in 2024