AN Elmore medical centre has been recognised for excellence at the state’s Minister for Health General Practice Awards.
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Elmore Medical Practice was a finalist in the award for best general practice. It finished a narrow runner-up behind Heidelberg-based Banyule Community Health General Practice.
The private practice - established by Dr Adel Asaid, who was recruited to Elmore as a GP in 1998 – works alongside Bendigo Community Health Services under the umbrella of Elmore Primary Health.
It focuses on providing accessible and comprehensive care across all stages of life.
The centre’s GPs regularly run health promotions activities at community events and work with primary and pre-school children on health-promoting behaviour.
More than 50 nominations were received for the award.
Practice manager Kathy Tuohey said it was the first time the awards had been given.
“We came so close – a very close second,” Ms Tuohey said.
“The Health Minister spoke about how hard the award was to judge and spoke about the fantastic health promotion done in the community.
“We’re a one-stop shop for health at Elmore – we have our own GPs, our own dentist and psychologist, our own dentist, our own pathology services.”
From a base of 800 patients in 1988, Elmore Primary Health Service’s five doctors now nearly 5000 patients.
It also delivers other community services, including a Men’s Shed, planned activity group, Meals on Wheels and walking group.
Ms Tuohey, who was the recipient of a practice manager award at last year’s Victorian Rural Health Awards, said the GP award nomination was recognition for a team effort.
She praised the service’s private-public partnership model.
Health Minister David Davis said the awards acknowledged the valuable work of general practice and individual GPs in delivering exemplary care to Victorians in need.
Mr Davis said selecting a winner was not an easy task.
He praised Elmore Medical Practice’s polarity and integrative service model and ability to alleviate trip distance for its patients.
“They have done a lot of work in their community, a lot of community events, and they are a practice we should all aspire to with regards to community engagement.
