Dr Claire Stewart - Balmain Village Health

Getting to Know … Dr Clare Stewart of Balmain Village Health

Dr Clare Stewart is an experienced GP, having worked in a number of practises across NSW. The Inner West is now home for Dr Stewart, with the patients of Balmain Village Health benefitting from not only her experience, but her knowledge and approachable manner. Being a mum of three, with paediatrics and Women’s health being particular areas of interest, Dr Stewart is well-placed to help you and your family with any medical needs.

Tell us a little about yourself

I am a mum to three young boys and live and grew up in the Inner West. I have worked in GP practices in Glebe, Leichhardt and Balmain, and before that at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Concord Hospital and Orange Base Hospital. I have degrees in medicine and forensic biology. When I’m not at work, I love to spend time in our backyard with my family, going to the park and spending my weekends at various early morning Saturday kids sports!

What inspired you to become a GP?

My mum is also a GP, so I think I always thought I’d eventually become a GP. I grew up in her practice from when I was a baby, and my brother, sister and I spent a lot of our time there when we were little! I also worked for a short time in a GP practice in Cowra in the central west of NSW, when I first started working as a doctor, and was really inspired by the knowledge of the doctors there and the environment of general practice.

How would you describe your style as a GP?

I’d like to think I’m approachable, friendly and reassuring, but also knowledgeable! I’m generally a pretty laid-back person, and I think this comes across in my consultation style.

What services does Balmain Village Health offer? What can clients expect from a visit to the practice?

People should expect to come to a friendly, diverse, family-orientated practice where they can feel safe and looked after. We offer the whole range of general practice services, and also a whole lot of smiling faces!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love the continuity of care you get working in general practice. I really love seeing multiple members of the same family, and following families as they go from no children, to one child to more, or being there for patients as theymove through from presenting with a symptom, to getting a diagnosis, to having treatment. I also really like the variety of things you see in general practice – where no two days of consulting are the same!

Do you have any special areas of interests as a GP? What interests you most about these areas?

I have additional qualifications in children’s health, sexual health and women’s health, so love seeing babies, kids, adolescents and families. But I really enjoy seeing everyone!

What are you doing to stay healthy during the current Covid-19 crisis?

My boys and I walk A LOT! Some of you have probably seen me walking around the Inner West pushing one or two of the kids in a pram! I usually swim a couple of times a week, so I’m looking forward to the pool reopening and getting back in the water.

As a mother and a doctor, what are your top tips to keeping younger children happy & healthy?

I think my number one tip is to firstly be kind to yourself. There are so many things that can make us feel guilty as young mums – are they watching too much TV? Should they eat more veggies? Should I be working less? – that it’s easy to only see the bad. I aim for some outside time everyday, at least one veggie at dinner-time and some quality time with each kid reading before bed, and if I achieve that in a day I feel like that’s a success (but I don’t always achieve all those things and that’s OK too).

How do you balance motherhood and a demanding job?

I have an amazing village around me to help – otherwise I don’t think I’d be able to! My husband, parents and siblings all help in various ways, and I have a lovely group of close friends that I can always call on if I need!

Favourite places in the Inner West?

Our family loves having a lazy brunch, lunch or early dinner on the outdoor deck at Camperdown Commons during the summer. We also spend a lot of time at Petersham Pool when it’s open over the warmer months.

What has inspired you recently?

Tough question! I think in the current Covid-19 crisis I’d have to say I’m inspired every day by everyone I work with and how they’ve all been handling the current ever-changing circumstances with such relative calm!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article.

About Author

Anna Jameson

An experienced Digital Producer, mother of two glorious children, passionate Inner Westie and adventure seeker. I also love to spend my time being creative, dabbling with paints and pastels, aspiring to one day exhibit my work within our community. For me, painting and parenthood are very similar – at times messy and unpredictable but ultimately beautiful!

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