He is Dr Emad Jasem who hails from the village of Holmwood in Surrey in the United Kingdom.

Dr Jasem and his wife are originally from Iraq and have five children ranging in age from two to 16.

“My wife, who trained as a microbiologist, and my children are still in the UK,” he said.

“They’ll join me after I settle in and find a farm to buy because we have always wanted to be close to a rural environment.”

Dr Jasem has been in Merriwa for about two weeks and has already applied for Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) rights at the local Multi-Purpose Service.

A VMO is a medical practitioner in a private practice who also works in a public hospital.

For a GP to be granted VMO rights they must be accredited and granted clinical privileges by the local health district to provide medical services at the health facility.

“I lodged the application last weekend and hope it will be processed as soon as possible by Hunter New England Health,” Dr Jasem said.

“I am also looking at the possibility of opening the practice on a Saturday.”

Dr Jasem has practiced as a VMO in the Murrumbidgee region and has worked at other locations in NSW, including Crescent Head, West Wyalong and Holbrook.

“I am looking forward to caring for the Merriwa community,” he told the Hunter Valley News.

“It’s a lovely town, a nice practice, there are very loyal patients and it’s want I’ve always wanted.”