It's been a long time coming, but the Forster Tuncurry Medical Centre has officially opened in the former Pacific Palms Medical Centre, three months ahead of the previous announced schedule.
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Newly painted and refurbished both internally and externally, the centre opened its doors on April 10, just in time for an anticipated busy Easter holiday season.
Forster-based practice manager, Anne Curtis said she was pleased the Pacific Palms site had finally open.
Mrs Curtis assured the community the practice would offer a consistent and reliable health care service, with a focus on preventative health across a range of medical conditions.
Backing up this guarantee, the practice brought the latest in patient management software and IT systems enabling staff to access all existing patient records on-line.
For faster Medicare rebates, claims would be undertaken on-line.
Along with doctors, Samantha Hoey, Peter Brown and Phillip Dobell-Brown – who will work alternate days – a registered practice nurse will be available every day.
The practice also will have a focus on childhood immunisations, healthy kids’ checks, INR checks, care plans and wound care.
Returning to the front desk will be a familiar face, full-time receptionist, Chelsea.
Pacific Palms Pharmacy pharmacist, Jason Woods said the community’s reaction to the re-opening had been overwhelmingly positive.
“People are please to have a doctor out here and they no longer have to travel into town,” Mr Woods said.
He said judging by the number of people having scripts filled, the medical centre had had a large uptake of patients.
Opened Monday to Friday, from 8am until 4pm, the practice will be a mixed billing system.
“We are the largest training practice in the area, dedicated to educating the next generation of regional GPs,” Mrs Curtis said.
Also, we have a focus on shared care; patients can see more than one doctor in our practice and all the information is kept on file, Mrs Curtis explained.
Laverty will continue to provide a service for the site, while allied health – physio Warren Martin and podiatrist, the Foot Whisperer will provide a regular service.
The practice is working on securing the services of a psychologist.
Twenty-four hour on-call service will be available through the main South Street, Forster premises.c
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
