Caring for women and families across South Western Sydney

 She enjoys the variety of general practice, building long-term relationships with patients and supporting the diverse community she calls home.

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in the region?

I have been working as a GP for nine years, including two years as a registrar, and became a Fellow of the RACGP in 2020. I have since worked as a VR GP at My Family Health in Willowdale. In total, I have been practising in the South Western Sydney region for seven years.

When and why did you decide to become a GP?

I am an international medical graduate and originally trained in obstetrics and gynaecology in India. After moving to Australia, I spent 10 years working in the hospital system as an unaccredited registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Managing demanding hospital hours while raising a young family became difficult, so I moved into part-time and locum work for several years.

A close friend suggested that I consider general practice. When I looked into it, I was surprised by how much it offered. I could continue my interest in women’s health while also having greater flexibility and a wide variety of patients and health concerns.

What attracted me most was the opportunity to provide ongoing care. Building relationships with patients, gaining their trust and supporting them through different stages of life is very rewarding.

Once I moved into general practice, I knew I had made the right choice. Looking back, I only wish I had made the change earlier.

What do you enjoy most about being a GP?

The variety is one of the things I enjoy most about general practice. Every day is different, and there is always something new to learn.

Building long-term relationships with patients and their families is particularly rewarding. Understanding a person’s background and circumstances helps me provide advice that is practical and suited to their needs.

I also enjoy preventive care, lifestyle management and helping patients take an active role in their health. Whether I am supporting someone with a chronic condition, helping during pregnancy or working towards a personal health goal, seeing positive changes gives me a strong sense of satisfaction.

Knowing that I have made a meaningful difference to someone’s everyday life is what makes general practice so rewarding.

What does your practice contribute to the local community?

Our practice provides a broad range of primary care services for the diverse needs of the local community. Our GPs have different areas of interest, allowing patients to access a wide range of care in one location.

Services include minor skin cancer procedures and excisions, contraceptive implant and IUD insertions, antenatal shared care, paediatric health, mental health support and iron infusions. One of our doctors also provides cosmetic procedures.

My main area of interest is women’s health, particularly antenatal shared care, menopause management and procedures such as IUD insertions. Providing these services locally can help patients avoid long hospital waiting times and receive care closer to home.

Education is also an important part of my role. As a GP supervisor, I enjoy mentoring and supporting registrars as they develop their skills. It is rewarding to contribute to the training of future GPs and help build the next generation of primary care doctors.

Most importantly, we aim to be an accessible and trusted healthcare service where local families feel supported throughout their lives.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

When I am not working, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. I like finding simple ways to add more vegetables and fibre to everyday meals while keeping them tasty.

Cooking is a creative outlet for me, and it also helps me give patients practical advice about healthy eating.

I also enjoy painting and knitting. Watching K-dramas is another way I like to relax.

Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my children. We might watch a show together or follow a cricket or tennis match on television.

What do you love most about South Western Sydney?

South Western Sydney is a wonderfully multicultural community, and I feel a strong personal connection to the area.

As an international medical graduate and migrant, I understand some of the challenges that can come with settling in a new country while building a career and raising a family.

This experience helps me understand the cultural, language and practical factors that can affect how people access healthcare.

It also reminds me of the importance of providing care that is culturally appropriate, accessible and built on trust.

South Western Sydney is diverse, vibrant and growing. It is a privilege to care for several generations of local families in a community that feels like home.

What motivates you to work in the region?

I am motivated by the opportunity to provide meaningful care to a community I understand and feel connected to.

My own experience of moving to Australia, building a medical career and raising a family has helped me relate to many of the families I see in practice.

The diversity of South Western Sydney also makes general practice interesting. We see a wide range of health needs every day.

Being able to provide women’s health services, antenatal care and procedures within the practice gives patients more options close to home and can also help reduce pressure on public hospitals.

Ultimately, it is the continuity of care that keeps me motivated. Building relationships with patients over many years and supporting them through different stages of life is one of the most rewarding parts of working in this region.

Who are your role models?

My mother has always been my biggest role model. She was kind, empathetic and always supported my career goals at a time when it was less common for women to pursue professional careers.

Her encouragement gave me confidence and helped shape who I am today.

My high school biology teacher was another important influence. She had a special ability to make complex subjects interesting and sparked my interest in medicine.

Her influence continues to shape how I communicate with patients and how I approach teaching and supervising future doctors.

What advice do you give patients about staying healthy?

I believe prevention is one of the most important parts of good health. Taking steps early can help protect wellbeing and identify health problems before they become more serious.

I encourage patients to focus on practical and achievable habits. This includes eating nutritious foods, adding more whole foods and fibre to meals, and finding realistic ways to stay physically active.

I also encourage patients to keep up with recommended health checks and vaccinations, as these can help identify or prevent health problems early.

Reducing health risks is also important. I regularly discuss smoking, alcohol use, stress and work-life balance with patients.

Mental and physical health are closely connected, so recognising when someone is struggling and encouraging them to seek support early is important.

Preventive health is not about giving people a list of rules. It is about giving patients clear information, helping them make realistic changes and supporting them to take control of their long-term health.

GP Profile: Dr Padma Krishnamurthy

Source: South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (Practice Pulse), 2 September 2026.