In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, where information is constantly changing, continued professional education stands as a cornerstone for ensuring the highest standards of patient care and healthcare practice.  Education has always been part of the HHMP DNA, and this commitment to life long learning benefits doctors, nurses, staff and patients. It also extends to the next generation of healthcare students and registrars who come through our doors.

GP Registrar Education and Training

The royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) administers the GP training program for future doctors. They have recently re-accredited HHMP to continue to train future GPs until October 2026.

We are very excited to announce that Dr Sophia Song and Dr Brendan Xu will be joining us as GP registrar trainees from February 2024.

GP Supervisors

After 40 years serving the local community, Dr Andrew Bowes will retire in February 2024. He will continue to do some medical teaching locally and in Vietnam. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

Dr Leo Tam will replace Dr Andrew Bowes as an accredited supervisor. Dr Leo Tam is very popular with students and colleagues alike due to his deep clinical knowledge and ability to explain complex concepts in a way that is easy to follow. He will assist Dr Charbel Badr with medical student and registrar supervision.

Healthcare Students

HHMP continues to host a broad range of medical students, nursing and podiatry students at various stages of their training. We recently hosted a range of medical students varying from 1st year observership, 2nd and 3rd year clinical placements and medical electives.

Are you interested in a culture of excellence? If so contact us

At its core, continued professional education cultivates a culture of excellence within HHMP. It promotes a mindset of continuous improvement. If you have a commitment to education and learning, please contact us. We welcome enquiries from students, Registrars, New Fellow GPs, experienced GP and specialists who have a similar passion towards education and a positive culture.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, keeping up to date is essential. The world GP conference is at the ICC in Sydney for 5 days in October 2023. It is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world, share ideas and learn.

It had been a busy week at HHMP with some international doctors visiting HHMP as part of an international exchange. On Saturday 28th of October 2023, Dr Charbel Badr, HHMP Medical Director presented with a team from Macquarie University at this international conference. The presentation and later round table discussions focussed on how to make general practices more sustainable and resilient for the future. Dr Badr presented about incorporating patient centred multidisciplinary care services into modern general practice, something that we do everyday at HHMP.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, keeping up to date is essential. The world GP conference is in Sydney in 2023. It is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world, share ideas and learn.

It has been a busy week at HHMP with some international doctors who are interested in practice models have been visiting HHMP as part of an international exchange of ideas to see how we do things. Doctors from General practices in Spain and the United Kingdom have recently visited. We have also been able to take them around our lovely local area so they can get a feel of our community.

HHMP is always welcoming of international Exchange

Professional development and a culture of excellence are at the core of HHMP. We often welcome international exchange students to come and learn with us and have previously hosted doctors from Nepal and Vietnam who are keen to learn about new models of general practice and take those back to their communities.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, where medical advancements and breakthroughs are the norm, continued professional education stands as a cornerstone for ensuring the highest standards of patient care and healthcare practice. At HHMP, we recognise the significance of staying up-to-date with the latest knowledge, skills, and techniques. This commitment to education and to lifelong learning not only benefits doctors, nurses, staff and patients but also extends to the next generation of healthcare students who come through our doors.

The Dynamic Nature of Healthcare: A Need for Ongoing Learning

Healthcare is an arena of constant innovation and discovery. New research findings, treatment modalities, and diagnostic tools emerge regularly, reshaping the way medical professionals approach patient care. In this dynamic environment, relying solely on past education can lead to outdated practices that might compromise patient outcomes.

Continued professional education serves as a proactive response to the evolving nature of healthcare. It allows healthcare professionals to stay at the forefront of their fields, ensuring that they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. By participating in ongoing education, doctors, nurses, and staff members can incorporate evidence-based practices into their daily routines, leading to improved patient safety and better clinical outcomes.

A Holistic Approach to Skill Enhancement and Education

One of the initiatives we are proud to implement at our medical practice is weekly education sessions. These sessions are tailored to cover a wide range of topics, from new treatment guidelines to advancements in medical technology. Sessions are led by a combination of GPs, allied health professionals, nurses or local specialists to provide a wide range of relevant topics and ensure that the learning meets everyone’s needs. By dedicating time to learning on a regular basis, doctors and nurses are better prepared to address the diverse needs of their patients.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical life-saving skill that requires precision and confidence. HHMP encourages all community members to attend a CPR course. Recently, we conducted a CPR education workshop to update the resuscitation skills of our staff. Through workshops like these, we ensure that our team is not only familiar with the latest CPR protocols but also capable of responding effectively in high-pressure situations. By investing in such workshops, we are instilling a culture of preparedness that directly translates to increased patient safety and improved outcomes.

Recent CPR course conducted at HHMP

Nurturing Future Healthcare Leaders

Our commitment to continued professional education extends to the education of medical, nursing, and allied health students. By providing a platform for learning within HHMP, we contribute to the development of the next generation of healthcare professionals. This week we have hosted medical students from three NSW universities, The University of Sydney, Macquarie University and The University of Newcastle. Through sitting-in with and assisting senior colleagues, students have the opportunity to learn from experienced healthcare professionals, gaining insights into the practical application of theoretical concepts. Additionally, our team benefits from interacting with students, as teaching often prompts professionals to revisit fundamental concepts and encourages critical thinking.

Are you interested in a culture of excellence? If so contact us

At its core, continued professional education cultivates a culture of excellence within HHMP. It promotes a mindset of continuous improvement, where every member of the team is encouraged to seek new knowledge, refine skills, and embrace change. This culture permeates every aspect of HHMP, from clinical decision-making to patient interactions.

If you have a commitment to education and learning, please contact us. We welcome enquiries from students, Registrars, New Fellow GPs, experienced GP and specialists who have a similar passion towards education and a positive culture.

A group of Vietnamese specialist doctors recently visited Australia as part of the Hoc-Mai foundation, a program that aims to strengthen relationships between Australian and Vietnamese healthcare professionals through knowledge exchange and education. As part of the program, the doctors visited Hunters Hill Medical Practice in Sydney to learn about how general practice works and how multidisciplinary services can be incorporated into healthcare.

International doctors visit HHMP

The visit to Hunters Hill Medical Practice was an eye-opening experience for the visiting doctors from Vietnam. They were impressed with the level of care and attention given to patients at the practice, and were eager to learn about how the practice incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.

The doctors were able to see first-hand how different healthcare professionals work together at the practice to provide comprehensive care for patients. They learned about how the practice incorporates allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists and dietitians, into the care team to provide a holistic approach to patient care. Nancy Ho, a physiotherapist of Vietnamese descent thrilled the doctors with her flawless Vietnamese and was a clear demonstration of the multicultural mix that is the Australian healthcare workforce.

During their visit, the doctors were able to ask questions and observe how the practice operates on a day-to-day basis. They were impressed with the efficiency of the practice and the level of communication between staff members. The doctors noted that they were able to see how the practice uses technology to streamline processes and improve patient care.

In addition to learning about how general practice works in Australia, the visiting doctors from Vietnam had the opportunity to share their own experiences with the local healthcare staff. Cover morning-tea we discussed the challenges of healthcare delivery in Vietnam, such as limited resources and a shortage of healthcare professionals. They also discussed how they are working to overcome these challenges and improve healthcare delivery in their home country.

The doctors from Vietnam noted that they were grateful for the opportunity to visit Hunters Hill Medical Practice and learn about general practice in Australia. They expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome they received from the staff and for the knowledge and insights they gained during their visit.

The importance of teaching and knowledge exchange

The visit of the specialist doctors from Vietnam highlights the importance of knowledge exchange and education in improving healthcare delivery around the world. Programs like the Hoc-Mai foundation provide valuable opportunities for healthcare professionals to learn from one another, share experiences, and build strong relationships that can lead to improved healthcare outcomes for patients.

The visit also underscores Hunters Hill Medical Practice’s role in education and knowledge exchange. This can occur at the most local level between practice staff during weekly education sessions, but also with medical students, nursing students, other health professionals and now our overseas guests. Learning from each other and teaching colleagues is good for patient care.

Overall, the visit of the specialist doctors from Vietnam to Hunters Hill Medical Practice was a great success. We have missed being able to host our Vietnamese friends over the last few years and look forward to having them visit again later in 2023 or early 2024.

The Hunter’s Hill Art show is Australia’s longest running local art exhibition. It features well-known regional and local artists as well as emerging talent. The exhibition showcases paintings, sculptures, watercolour, printmaking, photography, pottery, craft and mixed media. HHMP is part of the local community and has had a long association with the local art show and has sponsored the people’s choice award for some years now. The people’s choice award artist was recently announced as Victoria Aleporos. Today Victoria was at HHMP where she was presented with her $1000 people’s choice award prize by HHMP practice manager Katrina Arcus. Her achievement and comments have been posted on the Hunters Hill Council Website.

The Hunter’s Hill Art show is Australia’s longest running local art exhibition. It features well-known regional and local artists as well as emerging talent. The exhibition showcases paintings, sculptures, watercolour, printmaking, photography, pottery, craft and mixed media. HHMP is part of the local community and has had a long association with the local art show and has sponsored the people’s choice award for some years now. The people’s choice award will be announced in 2 weeks time and we are looking forward to presenting the prize to the winner.

In the meantime, on the opening night, HHMP purchased a work by Nicole Hunt, titled Inquisitive which can be viewed below. We think this will be very popular with our youngest patients.

Wednesday the 12th of October 2022 saw Cheryl, our longest serving receptionist celebrate 35 years at HHMP!

Our longest serving receptionist, Cheryl, celebrates 35 years

Cheryl is a local legend having been at HHMP now for an extended period. She is very well known to local patients and equally knows these patients very well. She is excellent at remembering names, family members and making our patients feel welcome.

Cheryl is indispensable resource to the HHMP doctors and nurses. She has great knowledge of the patients and the practice that is unmatched.

All at HHMP are so glad to have Cheryl working with us.

Here’s to 40 years! 😉

“A person is a person no matter how small” – Dr Seus

Welcome to article 2 in this series. Click back to go to article 1.

How do I know that my child is developing appropriately?

Milestones are benchmark achievements that are used to check how your child is developing emotionally, socially and physically. You can track your child’s development prior to each health c

heck by answering the Learn The Signs, Act Early questions found in the blue book. These milestones are also reviewed with your GP at each check. We ask questions across several domains to identify any developmental concerns (social /emotional, cognitive, communication, fine motor/gross motor). A simplified summary of the age specific milestones to look out for are included below.

Remember that children develop at their own pace. Use these milestones as a rough guide only and do not compare. If you feel that your child is not meeting the milestones for their age, act early and share your concerns with your GP directly.

What is involved in a childhood exam?

At each childhood check, your GP will perform a head to toe examination. This includes measuring height, weight and head circumference. The measurements are plotted on growth charts which assist in monitoring development over time. It also allows for comparison of your child’s growth with children of the same age. The examination will also involve checking the skin, head and fontanelles, eyes, mouth, lungs, abdomen, umbilical area, genitalium, hips and reflexes. Some aspects of this examination will become less relevant as your child gets older.

What immunisations will my child need? Are immunisations effective?

Immunisations are the safest and most effective way of protecting your child against transmissible diseases. Hunters Hill Medical Practice provides all childhood immunisations in accordance with the National Immunisation Program (NIP). These vaccinations are given at the time of your child’s health check. A summary of the NIP schedule is as per below or a printable version is available here.

If your child has been incompletely vaccinated based on the NIP schedule, a catch up programme can be individualised for you.

There are additional immunisations available to protect your child, which are not included in the NIP (travel vaccinations, influenza vaccinations and the meningococcal B vaccination, also known as Bexsero). These vaccinations are optional and it is a good opportunity to discuss them with your GP at your child’s health check. They will be able to answer any questions that you have and assist you with the decision making process.

Looking after your child’s health at Hunters Hill Medical Practice (HHMP)

At Hunters Hill Medical Practice, Doctors manage all health issues that affect children, from babies and toddlers to young people. Many doctors have completed further post-graduate training in children’s health (Diploma Child Health / Sydney Child Health Program). In addition to performing health checks and immunisations, we confidently deal with a range of paediatric health issues. Common problems we manage include fevers, ear aches, urinary tract infections, eczema and asthma. We also work closely with local paediatricians and are able to refer you to a skillful expert if required.

We look forward to welcoming children of all ages to Hunters Hill Medical Practice whenever the need arises.

 This is article two of two on this topic by Dr Pooja Rastogi. Part 1 is available here.

The following article would include information on childhood development and immunisations.

“A person is a person no matter how small” – Dr Seus

As exciting as parenting can be, it can be challenging, too. The joys of coos and cuddles is often mixed with the anxiety of managing new unknowns – the need for regular childhood checks, immunisations, their first cold or ear infection. To add to the confusion is the overabundance of advice from family, friends or conflicting information that you may read online. Talking to your GP throughout this period is so important – we are here to help you through the maze. Hopefully this guide sheds some light on the journey ahead.

Why do babies or children need regular childhood checks?

It is reported that 90% of your child’s brain development occurs before they turn five. These early days set the foundation for future growth and development. This is why it is important for your child to have regular health checks from birth. Childhood checks assist in identifying potential issues early, when they can be corrected, rather than waiting for problems to arise later in life, when they may be harder to fix. These checks are necessary even if you feel that your child is developing normally.

What is the blue book?

All parents of children born in NSW receive a free copy of the My Personal Health Record (Blue Book).

The blue book contains valuable health information for parents and is a place to record your child’s health information, illnesses, injuries, immunisations, growth and development. It is recommended to take your blue book to childhood health checks with your GP from birth up until 4 years of age.

The blue book clearly highlights the timing of each of these childhood checks (birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years).

What is discussed at a babies or children check?

The focus of each check, questions asked and the advice given to you by your GP will vary as your child develops. Points of discussion for you to consider are included below.

• Newborn Check (6 Week)

The newborn check is arguably the most important (for both mum and baby). During this visit we discuss issues relating to feeding (breast and bottle), crying, settling and sleep. There are a number of excellent resources which can be shared with you (Australian Breast Feeding Association Guides, Mum2Mum App). It is recommended to book in for a long consultation to ensure all of your questions are adequately addressed.

• 4 & 6 Month Check

It is recommended to start solids when your child shows signs of being ready – around 6 months of age but not before 4 months. We assist with this transition by providing education on how to introduce solids and recognise the signs of readiness. Understanding which foods are nutritionally complete and safe is also important – the Solid Starts Database & App is another excellent resource. Your child may also begin to teeth and we can discuss strategies to relieve discomfort. 

• 12, 18 & 24 Month Check

By 12 months your child is likely communicating in different ways (waving, pointing and trying to talk). They may even be standing or walking. We ensure everything is on track and provide information on recognising delay. By the age of 2, they may become more independent, develop unique personalities and show new emotions such as anger (a period infamously termed the “terrible twos”). We discuss techniques to help you through challenging behaviours, fussy eating and toilet training. 

• Healthy Kids Check (4 Years)

It is important for children to start school healthy and ready to learn. The healthy kids check is a comprehensive visit to ensure your child is ready to start school. We focus on checking growth/vision/hearing, addressing behavioural concerns and providing healthy lifestyle advice.

This is article one of two on this topic by Dr Pooja Rastogi.

The following article would include information on childhood development and immunisations.