CHANGES TO practice billing policy and fees
SCMP unfortunately no longer offers bulk-billing for Doctors consultations. The reasons for this change is due to ongoing inadequate Medicare rebates, lack of incoming Doctors, and the ever-increasing costs of running a Medical Practice. For further details, please see this link to an information letter for our patients. Please understand and respect all our staff and Doctors while we implement these changes.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
- SCMP is no longer offering regular Pfizer booster vaccinations at our Bega Surgery. These vaccinations can be sourced from local pharmacies. Clinics may be scheduled if there is a demand.
- The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have stated that a 2023 booster shot can be offered if it is more than 6 months since the last vaccination date or Covid infection, and irrespective of how many doses have previously been given.
- ATAGI recommends a 2023 booster for everyone over 65 years of age and those between 18-65 years of age with a significant medical condition putting them at increased risk of more severe disease.
- A 2023 booster can be considered/offered to everyone over 18 years of age, and those between 5 and 18 years of age with a significant medical condition putting them at increased risk of severe disease.
- A booster is not recommended for those under 18 years of age with no increased risk factors.
- We strongly encourage EVERYONE who is eligible, to receive the vaccination as soon as possible.
- Please be reassured the vaccine available to this group of patients, is safe and effective and will provide protection from COVID-19 for both us as individuals and to our whole community.
- We will continue to provide information here on our website, the SCMP Facebook page and at our surgeries.
HOTDOC SMS Notifications for Recalls and reminders
SCMP is using a new Recalls and Reminders system for our patients through HotDoc. Patients may now receive email and SMS notifications for their clinical reminders/recalls through HotDoc, as well as their appointment reminders. You can download the HotDoc app onto your mobile phone.
The appointment reminder SMS includes a link for confirmation and details on your appointment (it's not a scam!), or patients can just respond Yes or No to the SMS. And you can still always call our Reception staff for more details :)
Patients that have opted out of our SMS system will not receive these messages.
The appointment reminder SMS includes a link for confirmation and details on your appointment (it's not a scam!), or patients can just respond Yes or No to the SMS. And you can still always call our Reception staff for more details :)
Patients that have opted out of our SMS system will not receive these messages.
Quality improvement program
SCMP participates in regular quality improvement activities. Our current focus is on our hypertensive patients with blood pressure readings in the last six months that were greater than 140/90.
If you suffer from hypertension, please ask your doctor during your next consultation to take your blood pressure so that we can continue to monitor your condition.
If you suffer from hypertension, please ask your doctor during your next consultation to take your blood pressure so that we can continue to monitor your condition.
SUPERVISING DOCTORS
Our Practice Principal, Dr John Marshman, and the rest of our fellowed Doctors, oversee the care of all the patients of the Practice, with support from our Registrars and Practice Nurses. The Registrars and Nurses have regular meetings with the senior doctors who are available at all times for advice and discussion regarding any patient concerns.
If you are not able to see your usual doctor on every occasion, the Practice will endeavour to make an appointment for you with them periodically.
We are fortunate to have a cohort of GP Registrars, who work with us while completing their specialist training in General Practice. These GP Registrars will stay with the Practice for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. We are hopeful that some of them will stay with Sapphire Coast Medical Practice, so please make them welcome!
We also welcome a new rotation of ANU Medical students.
With ongoing teaching and recruiting, over the next 1 to 2 years, we hope to have a number of GP’s staying with us at the Sapphire Coast Medical Practice on a more long-term basis.
If you are not able to see your usual doctor on every occasion, the Practice will endeavour to make an appointment for you with them periodically.
We are fortunate to have a cohort of GP Registrars, who work with us while completing their specialist training in General Practice. These GP Registrars will stay with the Practice for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. We are hopeful that some of them will stay with Sapphire Coast Medical Practice, so please make them welcome!
We also welcome a new rotation of ANU Medical students.
With ongoing teaching and recruiting, over the next 1 to 2 years, we hope to have a number of GP’s staying with us at the Sapphire Coast Medical Practice on a more long-term basis.
GP Registrars
Dr Leandra Lisondra recently joined us at SCMP and will be working at our Bega Surgery four days a week - welcome Leann!!!
Dr Randall Kelly is with our Practice on rotation two weeks of the month.
Dr Amrit Kaur joined us as a GP Registrar in early-August 2022 and continues to work part-time at our Bega Surgery.
Dr Laura Marshman (GP Registrar) rejoined us in February 2023. She is working at our Tathra Surgery two days per week.
Our Registrars bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them and will be valuable members of our team.
Dr Randall Kelly is with our Practice on rotation two weeks of the month.
Dr Amrit Kaur joined us as a GP Registrar in early-August 2022 and continues to work part-time at our Bega Surgery.
Dr Laura Marshman (GP Registrar) rejoined us in February 2023. She is working at our Tathra Surgery two days per week.
Our Registrars bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them and will be valuable members of our team.
A Registrar is a qualified Doctor who has chosen to specialise as a General Practitioner, in the same way that a surgeon or paediatrician completes further studies to specialise in their field. Registrars are qualified Doctors who have completed their medical degree and done a minimum of two years training in a public hospital where they gained exposure to a wide range of clinical situations including surgery and emergency medicine.
October 2023
