Dubbo is an itch Dr Daniel Stewart has to scratch.
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No lotion or ointment can fix the condition which first appeared when the new director of emergency medicine at Dubbo Hospital was a medical student at the University of Sydney's School of Rural Health in Moran Drive.
Born and bred in Sydney, Dr Stewart spent about four years in Dubbo in the early stage of his medical career.
His return to Sydney for further training proved not to be a cure.
"I realised I wanted to return to the country," the specialist emergency physician said this week.
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On Wednesday, Dr Stewart showed state Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders through the hospital's new and yet-to-be occupied Emergency Department before revealing why he had taken up the position of director four months ago.
The lifestyle in Dubbo, its people and the diversity of emergency medicine practised at the hospital were singled out.
"The lifestyle got under my skin," Dr Stewart said.
"I really enjoy the lifestyle. I'm very active. I do a lot of running and cycling and Dubbo's a perfect place to do that.
"I think the city is beautiful and I love the river."
The people of Dubbo have very much impressed Dr Stewart.
"The community in Dubbo I think is its greatest asset," he said.
"I felt really included and involved in the community and developed some extremely strong friendships."
Dr Stewart also declared Dubbo to be unique in his experience of emergency medicine.
"There's no place I have worked at in Australia that has the case mix or the interesting emergency medicine that we find here in Dubbo," he said.
"I find this the most interesting and fulfilling place to work.
"We need to have a broad practice here and we need to be good at what we do to service the community and its needs."
Dr Stewart said the School of Rural Health initiative aimed to increase the number of doctors in the bush.
"I'm one of many, many people who have gone through the system and had their eyes opened to what it's like working and living in a country area," he said.
