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Stronger Medicare winners show 'the best of general practice'

Royal Australian College of GPs

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is congratulating general practices and GPs who were named in the Stronger Medicare awards on Monday evening (4 November, 2024).   

Among the “Medicare Champions” recognised by the Department of Health and Aged Care are five individual GPs from across Australia as well as seven separate general practice and primary care teams.

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said the awards were a welcome chance to celebrate the work of GPs.

“The winners represent the very best of general practice, offering wonderful care in a whole range of environments right across Australia,” she said.

“Their stories show the remarkable influence GPs and strong practice teams can have on communities where they work.

“They also demonstrate how general practice is the most uniquely varied, challenging and interesting role in medicine, where you build meaningful relationships with patients throughout their lives.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate all those involved. They are outstanding representatives of our profession, and excellent proof there is no substitute for the care of a GP who knows you and your history.”

Individual GP winners

• Dr Lorraine Anderson, Medical Director, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, WA. A GP for almost three decades, Dr Anderson is the medical director at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services in Western Australia years and is commended for her leadership in delivering quality healthcare to Aboriginal communities.
• Dr Miranda Hann, GP, Ochre Health, Tasmania: Dr Hann has been recognised for “breaking down barriers and providing access to health care for diverse and vulnerable communities, particularly transgender and gender diverse people”.
• Dr Dong Hua, Kenyon Street Medical Centre, NSW. As a practice principal, Dr Hua has been recognised for providing accessible and culturally appropriate care, and supporting vulnerable patients, including those in financial hardship.
• Dr Lester Mascarenhas, GP, Utopia Refugee Health, Victoria. Having started the Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health in Melbourne’s west in 2019, Dr Mascarenhas was recognised for establishing a unique model of care co-designed with the community and supporting often complex needs.
• Dr Andrew Palfreman, GP, Watson General Practice, ACT. Dr Andrew Palfreman is recognised for his commitment to multidisciplinary care, particularly for vulnerable and homeless patients.

General practice/Primary care clinic winners

• Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub, Victoria: Established in 2016, the hub addresses a critical need among people seeking asylum, providing high quality free or bulk-billed care for around 400 patients from 45 different countries.
• Inala Primary Care, Queensland. Delivering healthcare to some of the state’s most disadvantaged patients, the team is acknowledged for its collaborative clinical approach, with GPs, nurses and and pharmacists working together.
• Medical Respite Centre (Homeless Healthcare) in Western Australia. Described as the first service of its kind in Australia, it offers health and social services to people who are without a home, and is known for providing a unique, trauma-informed model of care.
• Next Practice Canberra, ACT. Delivering care for patients with complex and chronic needs, the clinic includes hundreds of patients in residential aged care, as well as housebound people, patients with disability, and those requiring palliative care.
• Pramana Medical Centre, WA. Commended for its innovative system of care, which includes weekly home visit clinics, the clinic provides care for more than 6,000 patients including many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, and others from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Street Side Medics, NSW and Victoria. Collaborating with charities, shelters, and other services, this mobile general practice clinic provides care in Sydney, Wollongong, and Melbourne to many patients who would otherwise have little access to traditional healthcare. ·
• Antenatal Clinic (Swift Street Medical Centre), NSW. This clinic in rural New South Wales has cared for more than 450 women in the past year with bulk billed services including home visits, supporting patients from early pregnancy to post-partum. It focuses on emotional and social wellbeing.

The awards were established to mark Medicare’s 40th anniversary to recognise “the role of primary care in providing accessible and high-quality health care to all Australians”.

The winners were chosen from a shortlist was released last month.

~ENDS

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the peak representative organisation for general practice, the backbone of Australia’s health system. We set the standards for general practice, facilitate lifelong learning for GPs, connect the general practice community, and advocate for better health and wellbeing for all Australians.

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