GPs in a Pod

In this episode, Dr Ben Brimblecombe, Public Health Registrar at the Darling Downs Public Health Unit, returns to the show to speak with Dr Jo. Dr Brimblecombe provides key public health updates on measles, vaccination recommendations, seasonal trends in influenza and COVID-19, and vaccine storage and preparedness during storm season. ResourcesQueensland Government: Public health unitsQueensland Health: Immunisation

In this episode, Dr Tanusha is joined by Lisa Johansson, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Clinical Nurse Consultant, and Simrandeep Singh-Khaira, Social Worker from the West Moreton Sexual Assault Support Service at Ipswich Hospital.They discuss how victim survivors are supported through trauma-informed, person-centred care in the emergency department, including psychosocial, medical, and forensic pathways. The conversation also covers GP obligations, mandatory reporting, consent laws, referral options, and how GPs can guide patients to appropriate hospital and community-based supports, both within and beyond the seven-day forensic window.To note: An assault occurring within 7 days: If the assault has occurred within a 7-day timeframe, the victim survivor can attend Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department where they will receive psychosocial support via a Social Worker and also be provided with the opportunity to undergo a forensic examination. During their presentation to the Emergency Department, the victim survivor also will have the option to report the assault to the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Victim survivors can undergo a forensic examination without making a report to QPS.An assault occurring beyond 7 days: If the assault has occurred outside a 7-day timeframe, the victim survivor can still retain the right to report the assault to QPS, either by attending their local police station or by making a verbal report via Policelink on 131 444. Alternative reporting: If the victim survivor does not wish to make a formal report to QPS, they may submit an anonymous Alternative Reporting Options (ARO) report online or through Policelink on 131 444. ResourcesQueensland Police Service: Alternative Reporting OptionsDVAC: DVAC services1800RESPECTNational Redress SchemeQueensland Government: Consent laws in Queensland

In this episode, Dr Tanusha is joined by Dr Mei-Ching Freeman and Dr Brent Simkus, hospital clinicians from West Moreton Health, to unpack the growing range of hospital, virtual, and community-based services available to support GPs in the region.They cover how to navigate local care pathways, reduce unnecessary emergency department presentations, and support vulnerable patients, particularly older adults, people in residential aged care, and patients with mental health needs.ResourcesDarling Downs and West Moreton PHN: Find the right careWest Moreton Health: Important numbers for GPs in the West Moreton regionWest Moreton Health: West Moreton GP contacts for mental health serviceshealthdirect: Symptom Checker

Ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Dr Tanusha speaks with Peter Tully and Grandall Manning – Partners at DCA Mentoring Supports.The DCA Mentoring Supports team have the lived experience of being both NDIS participants, and nominees. They discuss the challenges GPs often face when completing NDIS Access Request Forms and why focusing on functional impact is essential. They also highlight practical ways clinicians can improve communication and support patients throughout the NDIS access journey.ResourcesDCA Mentoring Supports

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) CEO Julie Borninkhof. They discuss PANDA’s role in supporting perinatal mental health, how GPs can identify and manage perinatal anxiety and depression, referral pathways and secondary consultation options, engaging dads and partners in care, and recognising high-risk groups.ResourcesPANDA: National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline - 1300 726 306PANDA: Secondary consultation servicePANDA: Referring to PANDAPANDA: Healthcare providers | information and resources

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Nephrologist and Obstetric Physician at West Moreton Health and Mater Mothers' Hospital, Dr Vishwas Raghunath.They discuss how to monitor, investigate, and support women after high-risk pregnancies – including those complicated by preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes – to ensure early detection and prevention of future disease. ResourcesInternational Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics (FIGO): FIGO pregnancy passportSociety of Obstetric Medicine Australia & New Zealand (SOMANZ): SOMANZ Hypertension in Pregnancy Guideline 2023

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Jill Parkes-Smith, an Obstetric Medicine and Infectious Diseases Physician working at Ipswich Hospital and Mater Mothers' Hospital in South Brisbane. This conversation focuses on cytomegalovirus (CMV) in pregnancy, including why it matters, how to interpret serology, when to investigate, and how GPs can provide effective patient support to reduce transmission risks. Dr Parkes-Smith also provides insight into the mycobacterial infections service at Ipswich Hospital, including care pathways for latent tuberculosis (TB), active TB, and non-TB mycobacterial (NTM) disease.ResourcesQueensland Government: Cytomegalovirus (cmv)HealthPathways: Non-acute Infectious Diseases Referral

In this episode Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Nim Cabraal, a gynaecological oncologist and surgeon at St Andrews Ipswich Private Hospital.Dr Cabraal has expertise in the management of gynaecological cancers and complex benign conditions, sharing insights into postmenopausal bleeding, cancer surveillance, and more. ResourcesMater: Guidelines for the Surveillance of Gynaecological MalignanciesGYON: A Guide to Gynaecological Oncology: What GPs need to know

If you missed our How to make Medicare reform work for you and your patients discussions in Toowoomba and Ipswich last week, catch up with this week's GPs in a Pod episode. Dr Jammal and Dr Meisinger (MD, MHCDS) returned to speak with Dr Tanusha, Dr Jo, and the PHN's Executive Director - Primary Care, Tim Keane.Our expert guests cover explaining MyMedicare to your patients, shifting to proactive care, lessons from the US primary care system transformation, and so much more.

To celebrate National Carers Week, Dr Tanusha spoke with Irene Clelland, who is the CEO of Arafmi - a “small but mighty” service that provides supports to mental health carers. They discuss Arafmi’s guide to working with carers, 24-hour support line, workshops, and respite accommodation for carers. They also speak about the warning signs for GPs around stress in carers. ResourcesArafmi: Working with Carers, Family and Kin24-hour Carer Support Line (1300 554 660)Arafmi: Carer Referral Form

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Healthdirect Australia CEO Bettina McMahon. They discuss Healthdirect Australia's role in the health system, My Aged Care, the importance of practices being listed in the National Health Services Directory, and the upcoming rebrand to 1800 MEDICARE, which will expand to include free, after-hours GP consultations.  ResourcesHealthdirect Australia: National Health Services Directory

In this episode, Tanusha speaks with Tracy Pickett, Legal & Policy Advisor at Avant. They discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scribes; the benefits for GPs and patients, the risks around inaccuracy, data and security, and legal considerations.ResourcesAvant: AI: what you need to knowRACGP: AI scribesAhpra: Meeting your professional obligations when using Artificial Intelligence in healthcareDepartment of Health, Disability and Ageing: Digital scribesAvant: AI scribes and patient consentAvant: 3 ways AI medical scribes can benefit your practice (and how to pick the right one)Avant: AI scribes - a checklist of things to consider

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with OneBridge founder, Adjunct Associate Professor Sonia Martin.OneBridge's Homelessness Health Access Program provides access to primary care, including mental health support and warm referral, through a mobile outreach model in Toowoomba and Ipswich.Resources OneBridge: HomepageOneBridge: Referrals

In this episode, Anja Nikolic, CEO of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health, returns to the podcast to speak with Dr Tanusha. They discuss what's happening in digital health and at the Institute, and all things AI in healthcare. ResourcesAIDH: Digital Health 101AIDH: AI in Healthcare: EssentialsImplementation of AI scribes in healthcare workflows

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Cubiko CEO Chris Smeed. They discuss the Chronic Condition Management changes that came into effect from 1 July 2025.ResourcesCubiko: Resources to prepare for Chronic Condition ManagementCubiko: CCM FAQ

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Arianne Valerio, a neurologist with Metro South Health, and Michelle Stafford, formerly with Parkinson's Queensland.More than 44,000 Queenslanders are living with Parkinson's disease - a number that continues to rise as our population ages. They discuss diagnosis and motor symptoms, red flags, demographics and trends, referrals, management, and more.ResourcesParkinson's Queensland: Education & Training for Health ProfessionalsParkinson's Queensland: Referral Form

In this episode, Dr Tanusha and Dr Jo speak with Amara Brennan and Dr Nishanth Jayarajan from the West Moreton Health Eating Disorder Speciality Service. The service provides assessment, treatment, education, and secondary consultation for patients affected by eating disorders.ResourcesWest Moreton HealthPathways: Eating Disorder Referrals

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Robert Heffernan.Dr Heffernan is a GP and practice owner in Toowoomba, GP Career Guide, and the Clinical Lead for Griffith’s LongLook Program, which sees fourth year medical students undergo placements in rural placements across the Darling Downs. They discuss medical education and placements, student-patient relationships, and the benefits and challenges of medical student mentorship.ResourcesGeneral Practice Supervision AustraliaGriffith University: Rural Clinical SchoolUniversity of Queensland: Rural Clinical School

To end our Refugee Week series, Dr Tanusha speaks with Dr Rachel Claydon. Clinically, Dr Claydon practices as a GP at the Mater’s Asylum Seeker GP Clinic working with people seeking asylum who have lodged an application for protection visa, but don’t yet have Medicare. Non-clinically, Dr Claydon is a GP SMO and Chair of the Queensland Clinical Advisory Group with the Refugee Health Network of Queensland, a statewide network that supports the provision of quality care to those with a refugee background. Dr Tanusha and Dr Claydon discuss the various Mater Refugee and Multicultural Health Service clinics, the nuances of treating patients with a refugee background, trauma recovery, catch-up immunisation, and more. ResourcesMater: Refugee and Multicultural HealthRefugee Health Network QueenslandMater: Multicultural Health Coordination ProgramRefugee Health Network Queensland: Clinical GuidelinesRefugee Health Network Queensland: Resources for CliniciansAustralian Government – Department of Home Affairs: How to make a FOI request

In this episode, Dr Tanusha speaks with Elizabeth Laverty, who is a Refugee Health Officer with Multicultural Australia, the leading humanitarian settlement provider in Queensland. Based in Toowoomba and Springfield, Multicultural Australia provides new arrivals with settlement services, such as housing, and access to education programs, training and employment assistance in the regions. Toowoomba is home to the largest community of Yazidi refugees outside of Europe, with over 6,000.ResourcesMulticultural Australia – Services Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma