Nurse practitioner Peter Sleeth recently opened his own practice in Shepparton.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“Good medicine isn’t about rushing to treatment, it’s about understanding the person first.”
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That’s the philosophy behind Tennyson Skin & Weight, a new nurse practitioner-led clinical service in Shepparton that provides skin surveillance, medical weight management and men’s health care.
Shepparton’s Peter Sleeth runs the practice with help from his wife and fellow nurse, Caylee McIntosh.
Mr Sleeth said years working in perioperative care, acute pain management and surgical assistance had shaped his approach to healthcare.
“What I realised is that many people simply just need time,” he said.
“I really wanted to build a practice where assessment comes before intervention, where patients know they’ll be supported well beyond their first appointment.”
Mr Sleeth said skin cancer surveillance was a key focus for the practice, given the Goulburn Valley’s high UV exposure.
The practice can also provide medical weight management for people whose weight is contributing to health concerns.
“This region already has an outstanding medical, nursing and allied health community,” Mr Sleeth said.
“If we can add to that by providing thoughtful, evidence-based care and building lasting relationships with patients, I’ll consider that a success.”
Born and raised in Shepparton, Mr Sleeth said opening the practice was an opportunity to give back to the community.
“For us, Tennyson is part of a broader family commitment to this community,” he said.
“To be able to serve the Goulburn Valley through my own clinical practice is a real privilege.”
Mr Sleeth said the clinical service was a culmination of lessons learnt throughout his career and family history.
“For me, Tennyson is the continuation of a much longer story: Irish immigrant ancestry, farming, nursing, military service, education, family and community, all coming together in one practice.”
The practice’s name is also a nod to history and Mr Sleeth’s wider mission.
“Tennyson was a poet in the Victorian era whose writing explores duty, service and honour, which are qualities that resonate with me,” he said.
“In this industry, duty is everything, but we also need those other traits.”
Tennyson Skin & Weight is located at Shepparton Surgery, 2/20 Fitzgerald St, Shepparton.
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