New GP finds dream job close to home in Rhondda
Rachel Jefferies set her heart on becoming a GP even before entering medical school.
The 29-year-old, former Porth school pupil, was attracted to the job because of the opportunity to get to know her patients, their children and their grand parents, in a place she felt at home.
“General practice is by far the more sociable of the jobs in medicine,” she said. “You get to know people for more than in other roles as a doctor and there is more face to face contact with your patients. I enjoy dealing with people more than anything.”
Dr Jefferies went to the Cardiff School of Medicine. She did her medical training in South Wales hospitals and as a GP mainly in Porth. Her grand parents live in Tonypandy.
Now she is among the latest additions to staff at the Forest View Medical Centre in Treorchy.
“I always wanted to come back to the Rhondda to work because I think they are the best people and I wanted to give something back here. The patient population are great.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about Rhondda. It may be an area with social deprivation but I think it is an area where you have a chance to make a difference and do a lot of good.
“I was keen to take up the opportunity at Forest View because it is a practice that is looking to the future and they wanted to get new young people on board. Having enthusiastic doctors who want to do a lot in the community is good.
“There is still a community here and I am looking forward to being at the heart of such a community.”
