And with it, the usual increase in respiratory illness and (now) RAT testing!

To help us manage the looming flu season, we'll be running our annual flu clinics (now with more variants) in April/May to help get as many jabs into arms as possible:

• The aim will be to run up to 3 clinics per week for up to 3 weeks. After the initial run has ended, we'll revert to ad hoc vaccination when/where appropriate.
• To manage these effectively, we need GP volunteers to sign up and volunteer up to FOUR (4) sessions (be they AM or PM) in the clinic weeks (weeks TBC)!
• We'll be contacting our more vulnerable populations (patients 65+, ATSI, etc.) via email in the lead up to the clinics, and then advertise on the CSMP website and Facebook pages to 'get the word out'.



NSW Health has indicated that the 'free for all' program from 2022 was a 'once-off' during a pandemic - for patients that do not qualify for a free vaccine, the cost will remain $15 for the vaccine (excluding any consult fees that may apply if done outside of clinic).

To 'sign up', please click on the button below!

Welcome Dr Rada Germanos!

We're thrilled to welcome Rada to the CSMP family!

Rada graduated from The University of Sydney in 2016. Prior to completing General Practice training in 2022, she worked in emergency medicine, and outreach primary care with people experiencing homelessness in the inner-city.

Rada is interested in most things medical - she has additional training and experience looking after children and young people, people with a lived experience of homelessness, and sexual and reproductive health. 

Outside of work, Rada is usually found cycling, diving, camping, reading, fixing things, and doing community projects.

Rada joins us on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays!

Welcome, Dr Linsey Gummow!

Linsey grew up in Mount Isa, QLD, and graduated from James Cook University, Townsville in 2016. She worked as a junior doctor at Townsville University Hospital, and spent some time as an Internal Medicine Registrar and Palliative Care Registrar prior to finishing GP training in 2022.

Linsey has a wide range of interests, including family planning/women's health, mental health, preventative health, insulin resistance, and dermatology. She has been trained to insert and remove contraceptive devices including intrauterine devices (IUDs).

When she is not working, she is busy looking after her two young children and finishing some training in order to work in rural and remote medicine in the long term.

Linsey will be with us on Wednesday mornings  (Telehealth) and Fridays!

Your active patient lists were contacted in February to let them know that the Doctors' Committee decision to move away from 'default bulk billing for Health Care Card holders' would come into effect from 1st March. With this in mind, the following is worth noting:

• with the default changed, it is vital to remember that billing instructions for admin need to be explicit (no 'usual billing', ensuring that you select concession, standard or direct bill), including notes to reception (when needed). Somewhat frustratingly, this includes accurately using specific MBS items (refer to the MBS cheat sheet in Teams when in doubt)!
• Billing type is (as always) at the discretion of the practitioner - the only exception to this is MBS items 721/723/732 (and their telehealth equivalents) that must be bulk-billed.

There are likely to be continued 'teething problems' as the change becomes expected practice, so there will likely still be occasions where you are contacted to clarify billings - we apologise in advance!

Teams Tabs...

If you've logged into Teams lately, you'll notice that there've been a handful of changes to the Chat tab:

• A new Doctor Preferences tab - this is to communicate with admin preferences for the length of certain consult types and procedures
• Outstanding Accounts - this will be updated quarterly
• Notifications of Leave/Changes of Routine - your notifications will be returned to the 'chat' channel once completed and filed in Best Practice!

The majority of general communications should now be expected through Teams.

If you're still having trouble accessing, please let me know!

Coming Events...

• DHM - CPD Assistance - Thursday and Friday, 9th and 10th March - Tina Mantas (our DHM liaison officer) will be hosting individual AMA (ask me anything) events this week for GPs seeking either clarification on what CPD activities can be used to see the new RACGP requirements, as well as information regarding activities DHM is offering in future. To register, click HERE to email Tina to confirm a time and ask any questions!