Former patients, business owners show support for Dr Jeff Taylor

A Naracoorte mother of three and a local business owner have praised the recently resigned obstetrician, while sharing concerns over the town’s doctor shortage.

Local Alexandra Protopopoff told The Advertiser her health and the wellbeing of her three boys, Ignatius, 4, Augustus, 3, and Kaius, 1, would have been endangered if it wasn't for the long-term care of Dr Taylor. Picture: Dasha Havrilenko

A Naracoorte mother, who delivered three baby boys under the diligent care of suddenly resigned Dr Jeffrey Taylor, has expressed her gratefulness for his medical support – as well as raised her concern over the depleted medical resources in town.

Dr Taylor, a GP and obstetrician at Kingcraig Medical Clinic, told The Advertiser he has decided to retire “effective immediately” after the Medical Board put restrictions on his registration preventing him from contact with female patients.

It is understood the restriction, imposed from October 1, is the result of a complaint linked to a consensual relationship.

Local Alexandra Protopopoff told The Advertiser her health and the wellbeing of her three boys, Ignatius, 4, Augustus, 3, and Kaius, 1, would have been endangered if it wasn’t for the long-term care of Dr Taylor.

Dr Jeffrey Taylor.

Kingcraig Medical Clinic, where Dr Taylor used to work. Picture: Dasha Havrilenko

“Dr Taylor was there for every step of the way with all my pregnancies, the birth, and all the post-natal after-care too,” she said.

“I remember with my first pregnancy, I didn’t have a clue what was going on but with Dr Taylor, it was like I was handheld all the way through the process.

“But what’s more is there was an abundance of after-care. I haemorrhaged all three times during birth and I lost a lot of blood.

“Dr Taylor kept me in the hospital after the delivery and he organised blood transfusions and kept me in his sight for at least another week which is the sort of after-care that you wouldn’t get in a city hospital.

“He would just go above and beyond for his patients.”

Ms Protopopoff said it was Dr Taylor’s skill in developing “interpersonal relationships with his patients”, and “his no nonsense, practical attitude combined with his humour” that made him a standout with his patients.

“I never felt uncomfortable with him, he managed to balance professional and almost parental attitudes perfectly in the clinic,” she said.

Although Ms Protopopoff has no plans to have anymore babies, their entire family was reliant on Dr Taylor for his GP and mental health services.

“His resignation is such a loss for the community,” she said.

Ms Protopopoff says she is “scared shi*less” for women who are pregnant at the moment as there is a severe deficit in doctors able to provide the care required.

“At the moment, we know of about five to seven women who are due to give birth in end November and start of December, and I have no idea how they’ll manage,” she said.

Chris Haynes, owner of Naracoorte’s Haynes Engineering. Picture: Dasha Havrilenko

Also showing support for Dr Taylor is Chris Haynes, owner of Naracoorte’s Haynes Engineering, whose grandson was delivered by Dr Taylor, and said his retirement was a huge blow to the community.

“He has been a wonderful doctor and done more for the community than most people realise,” Mr Haynes said.

“He has helped my family through some tough times when we did not know where to turn. It is a massive, massive loss and leaves a huge hole in Naracoorte.

“It’s the talk of Naracoorte, including a lot of bullsh*t, so I want to come forward and say I support him.”

Originally published as Former patients, business owners show support for Dr Jeff Taylor