Information as at August 2014

Location of Super Clinic
2 Shallows Drive, Shell Cove, NSW 2529.
Contact details
(02) 4220 8800
Shell Cove Family Health website (Shellharbour GP Super Clinic)
Funding recipient
Grand Pacific Health Limited trading as the Illawarra Shoalhaven Medicare Local (formerly the Illawarra Division of General Practice Ltd.)
Total Commonwealth funding
$2.5m (GST Exclusive)
Description of clinic
The GP Super Clinic is a new, two-storey, purpose built facility constructed within a new housing development in Shellharbour, NSW. The clinic is accessible by public transport and is immediately adjacent to a bus stop.
The clinic became operational on 6 July 2011.
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Services
Multidisciplinary care
Shell Cove Family Health offers a wide range of multidisciplinary, integrated primary care services. The current team includes GPs, nurses and allied health professionals, including exercise physiologists, clinical psychologists, a dietician, a speech therapist, a diabetes educator and a vascular sonographer.
The clinic offers specific clinics for patients with risk factors associated with respiratory disease and diabetes.
Pathology and pharmacy home medicine review services are available at the clinic. X-ray and pharmacy are located in nearby suburbs.
Services are delivered through a team based approach to care, with a focus on preventative health care and chronic disease management. Preventative health care services include lifestyle modification (walking groups, pilates classes, "Go for Fun" kids program) and chronic disease management clinics for asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart failure and hypertension. Top of page
Health needs and priorities
Services are targeted to meet the needs of the local community. Asthma, type 2 diabetes, smoking and obesity are common in the region. Patients are supported with evidence based treatment regimes and a tailored education package to support efforts to quit smoking and manage obesity. Patients undergo screening to prevent lifestyle related disorders and are supported by allied health providers to facilitate long term behaviour change.
A youth mental health service has been introduced in response to a large proportion of clients attending the clinical psychology services being aged between 12 and 25.
A lifestyle modification "Beat It" program commenced in March 2012 involving 2 exercise classes per week and fortnightly education sessions.
Disease prevention activities include 45 year old health checks, home health checks, pre-diabetes screening and practice nurse immunisation clinics. The large number of young families in the area has led to a strong focus on the 4 year old health check.
The clinic provides both mainstream services and targeted services under the Closing the Gap initiative for members of the local Indigenous community. Aboriginal artworks feature on the walls of the clinic. Two Aboriginal Health Workers and an Indigenous receptionist have been employed.
Quality
Shell Cove Family Health is accredited by General Practice Australia under the RACGP 3
rd Edition Accreditation Standard. The clinic was highly commended and specific praise was given for the quality and comprehensiveness of the doctor's medical notes as well as the building design and aesthetics.
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Operating hours
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
Fortnightly-Saturday 8am to 12pm
After hours coverage is provided by the Wollongong Radio Doctor Service.
Billing arrangements
The vast majority of services are bulk billed.
Home visits and visits to residential aged care facilities
Home visits are available. It is expected that the clinic will provide services to the local Residential Aged Care Facility once it is established.
Clinical training arrangements
The clinic has a strong education and training focus. Placements have been provided for GP Registrars, medical students and allied health students.
Training facilities include a training room for team based learning, student offices with designated computers for research and a treatment room for students to interact with nurses and Registrars.
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