Point Clare Medical Practice has received $25,000 through the Federal Labor Government’s Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants Program.

The practice has used the funding to purchase a new internal phone system and a new ABI Machine, to assess for vascular disease.

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP, welcomes this support.

“Our primary health workers provide outstanding patient care, and the Federal Labor Government is helping support their work in our communities”, Dr Reid said.

“Through the Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants Program, general practices across the region are receiving much-needed support to help with medical equipment purchases, practice renovations, and so much more”.

“This program is about supporting primary care which is the foundation of our healthcare system”, Dr Reid said.

“I am pleased to know that Point Clare Medical Practice has already put its funding to good use, helping improve patient care and outcomes”.

Point Clare Medical Practice General Practitioner, Dr Emily Stoddart, says the support has helped upgrade the practice.

“We were pleased to receive the Strengthening Medicare GP grant as it allowed us to purchase an entire new phone system for the practice. General practice has been underfunded for so long that the purchase of even essentials like phones has had to be postponed”, Dr Stoddart said.

“Our previous phone system was so old that replacement parts were no longer available and one of our clinical rooms didn’t even have a working phone in it!  The new system is cloud based and could allow staff members to work from home if needed”.  

“We also decided to buy an “ABI Machine” – this is a specialised medical machine that allows us to measure the ratio between the BP in the arm and the leg.  It is used to assess patients for peripheral arterial disease which is a chronic medical condition occurring in 20% of the population over the age of 65 (and 50% are undiagnosed!)”, Dr Stoddart Said.

“It is often linked to cardiovascular disease and so is an important condition for patients and doctors to know about.  We are using the machine to improve diagnosis and to assist us in managing leg ulcers”.

Dr Stoddart thanked the Federal Member for his support.

“Thanks again for your visit, we look forward to welcoming you again in the future”, Dr Stoddard said.

ENDS