BVMP News - August 2024
At the end of the year we will be saying farewell to Dr Erika Jaensch who will be relocating to Canberra due to family commitments. Erika started working with us as a GP Registrar in 2009. She has been a valuable and integral part of our team and will be missed by all the staff and her patients. BVMP will continue to care for Erika’s patients and we will continue our efforts to recruit additional doctors to join our team. We will miss Dr Erika and wish her well on her new venture.
GP shortage is an ongoing issue within general practice, especially in regional areas. Many medical practices in the Bega Valley have closed their books to new patients and are experiencing high demand when it comes to appointment availability. The morning clinics at BVMP 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. PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a walk-in clinic on Friday 23 August.
Becoming a patient at more than one medical practice is not the answer. Attending different medical practices can compromise your care, as those involved may not have all the information they require to make an informed decision regarding the advice they offer. If you attend multiple practices you are requested to choose one location to be your provider so all of your information is up to date and this will also provide practices with the opportunity to see other patients.
Although we haven’t had additional GPs join our team this year we have welcomed Cardiologist, Dr Sean Conte to the practice as well as Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, Elizabeth Laird. Both Sean and Elizabeth are valuable additions to BVMP and are providing a great service to our community.
Each year the Australian Medical Association sets a ‘Fees List’ with recommendations to what fees general practices should charge for their consultations. In November there will be a slight fee increase as listed below:
Short consultation: $55.00 (out of pocket $35.40)
Standard consultation: $85.00 (out of pocket $42.15)
Long consultation: $130.00 (out of pocket $47.10)
Although we are not a bulk billing practice our billing structure allows us to bulk bill the patients who are low income earners, patients who attend for mental health consults, chronic disease patients, students and children.
Don’t forget if you use telehealth services with our doctors we recommend you register with MyMedicare to be able to access longer telehealth consultations which we will bulk bill. Patients can register for MyMedicare through MyGov or you can choose to complete a registration form by clicking here or ask our reception team.
GP shortage is an ongoing issue within general practice, especially in regional areas. Many medical practices in the Bega Valley have closed their books to new patients and are experiencing high demand when it comes to appointment availability. The morning clinics at BVMP 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. PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a walk-in clinic on Friday 23 August.
Becoming a patient at more than one medical practice is not the answer. Attending different medical practices can compromise your care, as those involved may not have all the information they require to make an informed decision regarding the advice they offer. If you attend multiple practices you are requested to choose one location to be your provider so all of your information is up to date and this will also provide practices with the opportunity to see other patients.
Although we haven’t had additional GPs join our team this year we have welcomed Cardiologist, Dr Sean Conte to the practice as well as Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, Elizabeth Laird. Both Sean and Elizabeth are valuable additions to BVMP and are providing a great service to our community.
Each year the Australian Medical Association sets a ‘Fees List’ with recommendations to what fees general practices should charge for their consultations. In November there will be a slight fee increase as listed below:
Short consultation: $55.00 (out of pocket $35.40)
Standard consultation: $85.00 (out of pocket $42.15)
Long consultation: $130.00 (out of pocket $47.10)
Although we are not a bulk billing practice our billing structure allows us to bulk bill the patients who are low income earners, patients who attend for mental health consults, chronic disease patients, students and children.
Don’t forget if you use telehealth services with our doctors we recommend you register with MyMedicare to be able to access longer telehealth consultations which we will bulk bill. Patients can register for MyMedicare through MyGov or you can choose to complete a registration form by clicking here or ask our reception team.