Brother and sister doctors Jay and Emma Shoemaker have open new GP clinic in Hobart

Hobart brother and sister Jay and Emma Shoemaker are bucking a trend – they are both doctors passionate about general practice. Now they have joined forces to open a new GP clinic.

A Hobart brother and sister who grew up aspiring to careers in medicine have taken the big step to partner up and open their own GP clinic in the city.

Dr Jay Shoemaker and his sister Dr Emma Shoemaker on Monday open the doors to Australian Family Medical, a new general practitioners’ clinic located in Davey St.

Dr Emma said the clinic was the culmination of a long-held career and family goal, and she hoped it would address a gap in GP services in the community.

“Through our training we’ve both helped each other with study and examinations, and it’s always been great to be able to support each other,” she said.

“With Dad being in business (UTAS business lecturer Fritz Shoemaker) there were lots of business discussions around the dining table, and this led to both of us having the long-term dream of starting our own GP clinic together.

“We are happy that this dream is finally coming true.”

The Shoemakers completed schooling in Hobart before studying medicine at University of

Doctor Emma Shoemaker with brother Doctor Jay Shoemaker have opened a new GP clinic Australian Family Medical in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania. They completed hospital training through the Royal Hobart Hospital, including in the RHH emergency department, before completing the general practice training program.

“We have both worked at multiple different GP clinics around the Hobart region, but always had the goal of starting our own GP clinic together,” Dr Emma said.

She believes there are strengths in having a family-run clinic, reducing the potential pitfalls of service encountered at clinics operated by larger, corporate-run medical companies.

“We have the goal of being a great place for doctors to work so that we can attract and

retain local Tasmanian GP talent,” Dr Emma said.

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Entrance to the clinic on Davey Street. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

This also benefits patients as they can then stay with their local GP over a long time frame as opposed to the current revolving door of GPs in Hobart.”

The Davey St premises has been extensively renovated for a medical centre and there is room to grow into with two stories and 16 medical rooms. The intention is to build a team of GPs as patient demand grows.

Dr Jay has previously been involved with teaching new trainee GPs and it is hoped the new clinic could become a training hub for more Tasmanian GPs.

“In a broader sense we can see that there are currently challenges with the healthcare

situation in Hobart,” Dr Jay said.

“At the moment the usual story is of GP clinics shutting down around the Hobart region so we are excited to be the exception by opening a brand new clinic.”

While current operating hours will be Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, there is potential to expand to include weekend and after-hours appointments.

Australian Family Medical is located at 25 Davey St, Hobart.