BVMP News - June 2023
We’ve recently welcomed two new medical receptionists to BVMP – Patricia and Susan. We have also welcomed a new casual nurse to our team, Ashlea, who has previously worked in hospitals and is changing over to general practice. Everyone is settling in nicely and learning the job. We hope you join us in making them feel welcome.
At the start of the year we welcomed GP Registrar Dr Brendan Tonson-Older to our team. Brendan will complete his training term with us in August and we thank him for his contribution to BVMP.
At this stage we have been unable to recruit any additional doctors to join our practice. This is an ongoing issue within general practice, especially in regional areas. Unfortunately the reduction in our workforce is having an impact on our ability to offer appointments in a timely manner. The morning clinics continue to provide on the day care for those who are acutely unwell or require a quick, uncomplicated consultation but there can often be lengthy waiting time to book a more complex appointment with the GP of your choice.
We are thinking creatively and brainstorming ideas on how we can continue to provide quality care to our patients and offer more suitable appointment types. We invite our patients to submit suggestions or feedback to help identify ways we can increase appointment availability and adapt to our reduced workforce. Please forward your ideas to admin@bvmp.com.au for our consideration.
Due to the rising costs of running a practice we have considered our options to remain viable while continuing to provide affordable healthcare for our community. We will NOT be increasing our fees but we will be applying our current billing policy to all consultations. This includes face-to-face appointments and telehealth. From July patients will receive a text message from BVMP to enter their payment details when booking a telehealth appointment.
We are not a bulk billing practice but our billing structure allows us to bulk bill patients who are low income earners, students and children. For this to continue we can no longer routinely bulk bill patients who do not hold a concession card (Health Care Card or Pension Card). Patients who do hold a concession card are asked to pay for their first two visits each six calendar months and then all future consultations within that period will be bulk billed.
This arrangement will commence again from 1 July 2023 so if you have a concession card please make sure reception staff have your current details so you can take advantage of this arrangement.
BVMP has a Facebook page! Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with relevant info and notifications from Bega Valley Medical Practice. We will be using this social media platform to communicate with our patients.
At the start of the year we welcomed GP Registrar Dr Brendan Tonson-Older to our team. Brendan will complete his training term with us in August and we thank him for his contribution to BVMP.
At this stage we have been unable to recruit any additional doctors to join our practice. This is an ongoing issue within general practice, especially in regional areas. Unfortunately the reduction in our workforce is having an impact on our ability to offer appointments in a timely manner. The morning clinics continue to provide on the day care for those who are acutely unwell or require a quick, uncomplicated consultation but there can often be lengthy waiting time to book a more complex appointment with the GP of your choice.
We are thinking creatively and brainstorming ideas on how we can continue to provide quality care to our patients and offer more suitable appointment types. We invite our patients to submit suggestions or feedback to help identify ways we can increase appointment availability and adapt to our reduced workforce. Please forward your ideas to admin@bvmp.com.au for our consideration.
Due to the rising costs of running a practice we have considered our options to remain viable while continuing to provide affordable healthcare for our community. We will NOT be increasing our fees but we will be applying our current billing policy to all consultations. This includes face-to-face appointments and telehealth. From July patients will receive a text message from BVMP to enter their payment details when booking a telehealth appointment.
We are not a bulk billing practice but our billing structure allows us to bulk bill patients who are low income earners, students and children. For this to continue we can no longer routinely bulk bill patients who do not hold a concession card (Health Care Card or Pension Card). Patients who do hold a concession card are asked to pay for their first two visits each six calendar months and then all future consultations within that period will be bulk billed.
This arrangement will commence again from 1 July 2023 so if you have a concession card please make sure reception staff have your current details so you can take advantage of this arrangement.
BVMP has a Facebook page! Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with relevant info and notifications from Bega Valley Medical Practice. We will be using this social media platform to communicate with our patients.