Practice Philosophy

The Albury Central Medical Clinic seeks to provide a comprehensive medical service to families. It also provides occupational medicine to regional workplaces. These services are supported by 3 Nurses and a mix of part-time and full-time administrative staff responsible for reception, accounts, bookkeeping and payroll supervised by a Emma Byrne, our Practice Manager.

The Albury Central Medical Clinic seeks to create an environment which values its staff by encouraging team work, personal growth and development, and personal and professional respect. Regular staff meetings are held and high standards of clinical practice are encouraged through regular tutorial sessions for practitioners. A strong relationship exists with the Border GP Division: Andrew was a Committee Member for 7 years.

Building and Equipment

A comprehensive computer system assists in the provision of a high standard of clinical practice and efficient office administration including recalls for immunisation, pap smears and diabetic reviews, and downloading of pathology and radiology results.

Equipment: hearing booth, spirometer, 12-channel ECG, liquid nitrogen diathermy, automatic autoclave.

Medical records are predominantly computer-based through Medical Director. Paper files are stored using the RACGP A4 medical records system. Each consulting room is equipped with computer and printer.

The treatment room is equipped to undertake minor medical procedures. The practice nurses' room is computerised and used for counselling, nursing assessments, medical reviews and care plans.

Opportunities for Medical Education

Regular tutorial sessions are held to share medical issues, discuss journal articles and present topics of interest.

The UNSW School of Rural Health Albury Wodonga Campus based at the Albury Base Hospital encourages participation by medical practitioners in the provision of its teaching programme to 4th, 5th and 6th year medical students.

Continuing medical educations programs are available locally on a frequent basis and these provide opportunities too for networking and socialising with other medical professionals. Indeed, the Albury Central Medical Clinic actively encourages continuing professional development with a view to obtaining and maintaining vocational registration.

Decison-making

Evidence-based medicine is a process which combines the individual doctor's expertise, the best available external clinical evidence and the patient's preferences when making decisions about the patient's health care.

The Albury Central Medical Clinic encourages the practice of evidence-based medicine as promoted by the RACGP and the NH&MRC. Up-to-date clinical practice guidelines to support decision-making in straightforward and more difficult diagnostic situations are available and include the Therapeutic Guidelines and the RACGP Guidelines for Preventative Activities in General Practice.

All practitioners are encouraged to subscribe to and read journals. Regular clinical meetings provide opportunities to review literature and to participate in learning forums.

The Albury Central Medical Clinic has broadband to facilitate access to the Internet for researching current information to assist rational decision-making and to support the practice of evidence-based medicine. The Cochrane Reviews and other literature are available through Medical Director Software. A comprehensive computer system assists in the provision of a high standard of clinical practice and efficient office administration including recalls for immunisation, pap smears and diabetic reviews, and downloading of pathology and radiology results.

Confidential discussion with experienced practitioners at the clinic is encouraged when cases arise where there is uncertainty.