THE Grafton GP Super Clinic will unveil new opening hours following the arrival of two extra staff members later this month.

Practice manager Nathan Riseley said the changes would benefit the community as patients would be able to make appointments with their doctors after business hours.

"Our new hours have recently been approved by Clarence Valley Council and the new times will take effect as soon as our newest staff members join us," he said.

The Grafton GP Super Clinic has already welcomed one new staff member in 2013 - general practitioner Dr Thant Zin.

Born and raised in Burma, Dr Zin has previously worked at the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania and the Goulbourn Valley Base Hospital in Shepparton, Victoria.

After seeing 10 patients on his first day (January 7), Dr Zin is familiarising himself with the local area and is proud to be a part of the Grafton GP Super Clinic team.

"The community have been very helpful to me and very supportive. Everyone here in Grafton is very friendly and I am enjoying working at the Super Clinic," he said.

The new opening hours will not be a problem for Dr Zin, who has previously worked hospital shifts lasting many hours into the night.

"I am used to working very late and very long hours," he said.

The new opening hours for the Grafton GP Super Clinic will be 8am-8pm on weekdays and 8am-6pm on Saturday. John Burns, CEO of Ochre Health said plans were also being made to open the growing premises on Sunday.

"It is important to be open to patients on a weekend, especially when a lot of kids' sports are held on Saturday and parents need

access to their doctors," he said.

"Another bonus of the extended opening hours is the availability for patients to access medical treatment after business hours. At this stage there are plans to open on Sunday, but more information will be known once the new staff members have joined the team." New staff members would join in the coming weeks.