Dr Sutherland is leaving the Myall Coast Health and Medical Centre to move to Braidwood near Canberra.

His new position will involve working with medical students at a teaching practice, attached to the hospital.

The Australian National University and the Area Health Service runs the practice.

Dr Sutherland said the decision to take the new job was hard.

“Things are going to expand with aged care here so the need for doctors will increase,” he said.

But Dr Sutherland said there is a need for him to keep a range of skills in practice.

“There is a need for doctors everywhere in Australia but there remains a challenge of keeping a range of skills and activity and it’s difficult without a hospital,” he said.

Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest will be left with only two permanent doctors and a part time permanent doctor through a private practice and the medical centre.

Dr Sutherland’s wife Jenny will also leave the medical centre with him.

No one has been selected yet to replace Dr Sutherland.