A new medical clinic opening in Lucas this week will help cater for the rapid growth of the area and offer telehealth consultations for those at risk and living further afield.
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The four principal doctors of the new Q1 Medical clinic are expecting patients not only from Lucas but regional areas and centres west and south of Ballarat.
Among the doctors is Dr Mohammed Al Naima who used to work in Skipton and left following a dispute with the local health service. Many of his patients from Skipton and Beaufort followed Dr Al Naima as he worked in other clinics over the past 18 months, and will become patients again at his new clinic.
"We know this area is a growing area with a lot of families and that's why we are opening here, and why will be opening late until 7pm because a lot of families, and young skilled people who work, need to see a doctor and can't do that during office hours," he said.
Telehealth will form an important component of the practice, not just during the current coronavirus pandemic but going ahead in to the future.
"Telehealth is one of the recommended things from the government to provide health assessments for people at high risk, and especially for people who, for example, can't come in because they live in the country," he said.
"Some conditions don't need a physical examination and ... we can treat locals in their own home."
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The clinic will be open seven days a week and aims to have minimal turnover of staff so doctors are able to build a relationship with their patients. There are two female and two male doctors, with more expected to start working from the practice in the coming months.
"Patients hate to see clinics with different doctors all the time so we aim to have local doctors who are best placed to look after the community for a long time," he said.
"Especially in mental health and people with long term conditions, you don't want to see another doctor and have to go over everything again."
The Q1 clinic, at 1B Coltman Plaza, will bulk bill patients with health care cards, pensioners and children.
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