currently accepting new patients
Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm | Sat 8.30am - 1pm

165 Elphin Rd Newstead, TAS 7250

Blog

Blog2021-04-22T20:08:26+10:00
303, 2024

Carpark Flu Clinics

March 3rd, 2024|

It's that time of year again! Carpark Flu Clinics will commence on Sunday 21 April. Both government-funded vaccines for eligible patients, as well as private vaccines, will be available. Bookings can be made online through Automed.

2112, 2023

Felicity hangs up her stethoscope!

December 21st, 2023|

After 20 years at Newstead Medical, on Wednesday Dr Felicity Wivell officially hung up her stethoscope. We know she’s looking forward to travelling more, kicking back with a good book, and doing whatever it takes to rope new players into bridge. She’s been such a unique part of the fabric [...]

2210, 2023

Dr Hanson wins GP of the Year!

October 22nd, 2023|

Congratulations Dr Paul Hanson RACGP Tasmanian GP of the Year! Despite struggling to read and write in Grade 2, he worked tirelessly to get into Medical school at the University of Tasmania. Now, he helps children at Ravenswood Heights Primary School with literacy, encouraging them to pursue their dreams. A fierce advocate for rural health, [...]

2607, 2023

Welcome back Celine!

July 26th, 2023|

Dr Celine Goh has returned to Newstead! Many of you will have already met Celine during her previous time with us, and we're thrilled that she's returned to work with us! She is working full-time with us and is accepting new patients. Welcome back Celine!

107, 2023

Urgent Care Update

July 1st, 2023|

On 3 July the Facility Fee at the Urgent Care Centre will increase to $160. This is the first and only increase in fees since the Centre opened over 2 years ago and is necessary for the Centre to remain sustainable given the rising costs of providing our 7-day service. [...]

2106, 2023

Dr Verity is returning!

June 21st, 2023|

Big news! From Tuesday 11 July, Dr Verity Foulkes-Taylor will be returning from maternity leave, working every Tuesday and Thursday and Newstead Medical. Having achieved International Board Certification in Lifestyle Medicine, she is currently pursuing a Fellowship in Lifestyle Medicine, and will be working in this space every Tuesday and [...]

2705, 2023

International Nurses Day

May 27th, 2023|

We recently celebrated International Nurses Day 2023 on 12 May, the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nurses are the backbone of our organisation, and our team regularly give up their evenings and weekends to ensure our patients receive the best possible healthcare. Thank [...]

1204, 2023

Flu Clinics

April 12th, 2023|

Flu vaccines have arrived. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone, with government-funded vaccines provided for those at higher risk: -adults over 65 years old -children over 6mths and less than 5 years old -Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander patients -pregnant patients - those at higher risk of complications from influenza [...]

2603, 2023

Mask Update

March 26th, 2023|

In line with the update in policy from the Tasmanian Health Service, masks are no longer mandatory when visiting Newstead Medical, the Kings Meadows Medical Centre, the Urgent Care Centre or NewWorkHealth. We recommend using facemasks to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses and will continue to screen all patients [...]

1803, 2023

Cam is back!

March 18th, 2023|

We’re so excited to welcome Dr Cam McClure back to Newstead Medical full-time! He’ll be largely working in the Urgent Care Centre as our Coordinator, though still doing some limited sessions in General Practice with us. Many of our team have worked with Cam in Emergency Medicine in the past, [...]

103, 2023

Introducing Dr Ellie

March 1st, 2023|

We're really excited to welcome Dr Ellie Khalili to the team this year. Ellie relocated from Queensland in 2023, having worked as a GP in Mackay for 4 years. Originally from Iran, she has been working as a General Practitioner since 2011, with a strong interest in skin cancer, women’s [...]

2802, 2023

New Physiotherapist at Newstead Medical

February 28th, 2023|

We’re excited to announce the addition of a new physiotherapist, Jelene from Riverside Physiotherapy, to the allied health team. Complementing the work of Justin our exercise physiologist, Jelene has experience in all musculoskeletal conditions including those affecting the elderly. She is a GLA:D provider for patients with osteoarthritis of the [...]

2702, 2023

COVID boosters

February 27th, 2023|

COVID booster vaccine clinics have re-commenced, with the new bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine. If you haven't had COVID infection for over 6 months and are 18-64 you should consider a booster, and ATAGI certainly recommends the booster if you are over 65 or immune-compromised. Image credit: REUTERS

1302, 2023

We’re changing to Automed

February 13th, 2023|

We’re switching our online booking system from HotDoc to AutoMed We’ll be running both platforms in tandem for the next month, but after that you’ll need to book online through AutoMed. AutoMed has a number of extra features that will improve how we communicate with you. You can download the [...]

702, 2023

Karinna is Back

February 7th, 2023|

Dr Karinna is back! After spending the last few years on the mainland completing her training, Dr Karinna Fyfe has returned home to Launceston. She’ll be working Mondays and Fridays at Newstead Medical and every Tuesday at our Kings Meadows Medical Centre, commencing Tuesday 7 February. Karinna has an interest [...]

1212, 2022

GPs in Parliament

December 12th, 2022|

Along with 26 other GPs from all around the country, Dr Gardner spent 3 days in Parliament in late November lobbying to improve Medicare and bring doctors back to General Practice. There were over 90 separate meetings held over 2 days with Ministers, MPs and Senators, with the RACGP presenting [...]

908, 2022

New Exercise Physiologist

August 9th, 2022|

Justin Ockerby is a locally raised and University of Tasmania-trained Exercise Physiologist who has just joined the team at NewWorkHealth full-time! He is passionate about the benefits of exercise of any level in health, across a full spectrum of conditions, with particular interests in injury rehabilitation and cardiovascular conditions. Outside [...]

407, 2022

Free flu vaccinations!

July 4th, 2022|

With Tasmania experiencing by far the worst flu season in over 5 years, we welcome the announcement today that the State will continue to fund flu vaccination for all Tasmanians until 31 July. You can book online through our website.

3105, 2022

Welcome Cormac!

May 31st, 2022|

Welcome Dr Cormac! Dr Cormac Keane has relocated to Launceston with his young family after 8 years in Mossman, Sydney. A GP of over 20 years’ experience, he is originally from Ireland and trained in the UK before moving to Australia in 2013. Cormac has extensive experience in semi-rural and [...]

2505, 2022

RACGP President Dr Karen Price visits

May 25th, 2022|

Recently we hosted the President of our RACGP , the indefatigable Adj Prof Karen Price at Newstead Medical and the Urgent Care Centre. Along with Tasmanian Chair Dr Tim Jackson and Faculty Manager Catherine Back, they met with Deputy Chair Dr Toby Gardner and the team at Newstead to discuss [...]

1505, 2022

12 May, Happy International Nurses Day!

May 15th, 2022|

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. They’re there to provide for the most vulnerable in our community, and are prepared to walk alongside our patients through the most difficult of journeys. They can bring a smile to patients experiencing the most painful of conditions, and grieve with those [...]

2303, 2022

Say Hi to Dr Jeanette Ng!

March 23rd, 2022|

Dr Jeanette Ng relocated to Launceston in 2018 from Sydney, where she studied Medicine at the University of Sydney. She actually worked as a hospital Pharmacist in Singapore prior to starting Medicine, and has since gained extra qualifications in Emergency Medicine through the Australian College of Emergency Medicine. She loves baking, hiking [...]

1403, 2022

Meet Dr Rebekah Moore

March 14th, 2022|

Rebekah was raised right here in the Tamar Valley and is a graduate of the University of Tasmania. She’s been working in Emergency Medicine across all the major hospitals in Tasmania and in Far North Queensland for the majority of the last 10 years and has now made the move into General [...]

2802, 2022

Introducing Dr Yang!

February 28th, 2022|

Introducing Dr Jeremy Yang. Dr Jeremy grew up in Hobart and was Dux of the Hutchins School. He studied Medicine at the University of Tasmania in Hobart and completed his Intern year at the RHH before moving North to the Launceston General Hospital (LGH). In 2021 he launched into General [...]

2402, 2022

Welcome Dr Clifford!

February 24th, 2022|

We'd like to welcome Dr Amanda Clifford to the team! Dr Clifford is now working as a General Practitioner between both Newstead Medical and Kings Meadows Medical Centre, and will also be working in our Urgent Care Centre. She has a special interest in antenatal care, women's health, paediatrics, and [...]

2701, 2022

We’re Accepting New Patients Again!

January 27th, 2022|

We’ve had a number of new doctors join the team at Newstead Medical. We’re really excited to welcome such excellent doctors, and are thrilled that we can now accept new patients to the practice again. We look forward to introducing you to them over the next few weeks!

1512, 2021

COVID-19 Update: Masks

December 15th, 2021|

Tasmania’s borders have now opened. In preparation for changes in the way we will practice, we request that you have a supply of suitable surgical masks Though not yet required just yet, we will soon move to requiring all patients and staff to wear masks on entering the practice, dependent [...]

1512, 2021

Dr Toby wins Australian GP Supervisor of the Year!

December 15th, 2021|

At the RACGP National awards, Dr Toby Gardner was announced winner of the Australian GP Supervisor of the Year! As well as being a Partner at Newstead Medical, Kings Meadows Medical Centre and the Urgent Care Centre, Toby is Deputy Chair of the RACGP Tasmania, RACGP Examiner, Supervisor Liaison Officer at General Practice Training Tasmania, and [...]

3011, 2021

Nick is back in Urgent Care!

November 30th, 2021|

Dr Nick Stacey is back! Dr Nick will be working with us in the Urgent Care Centre for the next two weeks. He is a Tassie local, studying #medicine at University of Tasmania and working for a couple of years as a GP at Newstead Medical. He has spent the past 5 years working locum [...]

2908, 2021

We’re Tasmanian Practice of the Year!

August 29th, 2021|

The RACGP Fellowship and Awards ceremony were held in Hobart on 28 August. We are thrilled to announce that Newstead Medical won Tasmanian General Practice of the year, and Dr Toby Gardner was awarded GP Supervisor of the year. Dr Georgia Bavin also won the Tasmanian medal for highest score [...]

108, 2021

Urgent Care Centre opens on weekends!

August 1st, 2021|

The Urgent Care Centre is now open on weekends! We are now open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. The Urgent Care Centre provides a walk-in service for patients requiring urgent medical care that can’t wait to be seen in a normal GP appointment. The State Government have [...]

407, 2021

Changes to Telehealth

July 4th, 2021|

From 1 July the Australian Department of Health has made a number of changes to Telehealth appointments. While telephone consults will still be available for normal appointments, Telehealth for long consultations and new Mental Health Care Plans will now need to be done via video consultation. The RACGP and Australian [...]

3006, 2021

Dr Jane Fuller Retires!

June 30th, 2021|

Today we celebrate the massive contribution of Dr Jane Fuller to Newstead Medical in her retirement. An absolute stalwart of the General Practitioners in the North of the state, she has been looking after the health of the Launceston community for almost 40 years. Jane’s also worked in various other roles [...]

1905, 2021

Now Accepting Afterpay

May 19th, 2021|

We're happy to announce that we can now accept Afterpay, with refunds processed immediately on-site and deposited into your nominated bank account with Medicare.

205, 2021

Phase 2a vaccination

May 2nd, 2021|

Phase 2a COVID-19 vaccination for all Australians 50 years and over will commence from 3 May at Newstead Medical. You can book an appointment online at https://www.hotdoc.com.au/.../covid-19-vaccination-clinic-5

2204, 2021

COVID vaccination

April 22nd, 2021|

Tasmania has the highest COVID vaccination rate in Australia, utilising 100% of our allocation. We still have spaces available in our COVID vaccination clinics for over 70s and those over 50 with a chronic medical condition, and we continue to recommend vaccination for these vulnerable groups as soon as possible. [...]

3003, 2021

Company Flu Vaccinations

March 30th, 2021|

Private flu vaccinations have arrived. We’re now able to provide on-site vaccinations for businesses, to avoid the disruption of employees having to leave for their vaccination. While we still don’t know how this flu season will play out, there are already a lot more respiratory viruses circulating than last year, [...]

1703, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination

March 17th, 2021|

COVID-19 vaccination will commence on Tue 23 March at Newstead Medical for those eligible for the Phase 1b rollout. Existing patients can book online if they meet the eligibility requirements (as per the Department of Health people with a specified medical condition need to provide proof of eligibility via My [...]

303, 2021

Urgent Care Centre Opens!

March 3rd, 2021|

On Monday 1 March the Urgent Care Centre opened! 4 years in the planning, we have hit the ground running with multiple varied urgent presentations from Day 1, and has been warmly embraced by the community as an alternative option to presenting to the Emergency Department with non-emergency conditions.

1402, 2021

Farewell Seth!

February 14th, 2021|

We recently said farewell to Seth, Dr Toby's son, who's been working in reception for the last year (you may have heard his deep dulcet tones on the end of the phone line), as he relocates to Brisbane to study at the Queensland College of Art. Seth's been part of [...]

1002, 2021

Dan is back!

February 10th, 2021|

Dan is back! Dr Daniel Kirk returned to Newstead Medical on Thursday 28 January in a full-time capacity, after he and Dr Verity Foulkes-Taylor welcomed beautiful baby August into the world (last July!). We're stoked that he has returned to our team, and he's now accepting new patients!

3101, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out: What We Know So Far

January 31st, 2021|

We've submitted our Expression of Interest to be a vaccine administration centre for Phase 1b of the Astra Zeneca (Oxford) vaccine programme (i.e. for >70, those with chronic illness, ATSI >55 and high-risk workers not already covered) Bookings will ONLY be able to be made through a National Booking System [...]

2510, 2020

CHANGES COMING!

October 25th, 2020|

From Monday 26 October, entrance to Newstead Medical will be via the rear of the building (Waiting Area 3) as we renovate the main Reception Area. The Elphin Road entrance will be closed for 2 weeks, with access to Waiting Area 3 via the lift or via the door from [...]

1110, 2020

Dr Sandra Newfield joins Newstead Medical!

October 11th, 2020|

Having spent the last two years doing locums in Tasmania, Dr Sandra Newfield and her husband relocated from Wollongong to Launceston in early 2020, just before COVID-19 reached our shores! She enjoys all aspects of General Practice, and is working with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sandra loves gardening, walking [...]

2409, 2020

Telehealth Fee Changes

September 24th, 2020|

Following the recently announced changes to COVID-19 Medicare incentives our consultation fees for Telehealth appointments will change. This change will take effect on Thursday 1 October. Updated fee information is available on our website.

1508, 2020

Possums Programme

August 15th, 2020|

Dr Georgia Bavin has a special interest in women’s health and the care of mothers and babies in the first year of life including infant sleep, feeding, unsettled behaviour, and maternal mental health. She follows a holistic evidenced-based approach termed Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC or the Possums programme) and is [...]

3103, 2020

Telehealth Consultations

March 31st, 2020|

We’ve moved to primarily telephone and video consultations, which are now available to ALL Australians. Did you know that up to 80% of the information we gather from patients is from their history alone (rather than examination)? We know that most of you prefer to see your GP in person, [...]

1603, 2020

COVID-19

March 16th, 2020|

Too sick to come to the doctor, or concerned you may be at risk of contracting COVID-19 by coming in? The Australian Government Department of Health has recently announced that eligible patients may choose to consult per video or telephone. Specifically, if you meet the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected [...]

2502, 2020

Georgia is Back!

February 25th, 2020|

Dr Georgia Bavin returned from maternity leave this month! We were of course sad to farewell some of our excellent recent registrars (some of whom we hope will return!) this month, though are looking forward to introducing some absolutely amazing doctors to you over the next few weeks!

2711, 2019

Save Medevac

November 27th, 2019|

We support the RACGP in calling for Medevac to be saved, which gives doctors, not administrators, greater power in determining whether refugees on Manus or Nauru require transfer to Australia for medical treatment. The Minister for Home Affairs retains ultimate decision-making capacity for transfers, though we agree on the importance [...]

2409, 2019

Free Measles Vaccination

September 24th, 2019|

Tasmanians born between 1966 and 1994 may not be fully immunised for measles. We were recently visited by Health Minister Sarah Courtney to announce the rollout out a free, State-subsidised catch-up vaccination for those eligible, as well as children between 6-12 months travelling to high-risk areas. Measles is an extremely [...]

2307, 2019

My Health Record

July 23rd, 2019|

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Within the next few weeks, all pathology and radiology tests that you have performed will be AUTOMATICALLY UPLOADED to My Health Record, which 90% of Australians now have. While we think this is a good idea, some people may not want sensitive results visible to other health-care providers. You [...]

1007, 2019

Do the dab!

July 10th, 2019|

Flu season is in full swing, so please try to minimise contact with others if experiencing symptoms, especially younger people and the elderly, and let us know if you think you have the flu when booking in. Alcohol-based hand rubs help limit spread, as the flu can live for up [...]

3006, 2019

Nip Allergies in the Bub

June 30th, 2019|

Did you know that Australia has the highest rate of food allergies in the world, with 1 in 10 infants having a food allergy, a rate double that of 10 years ago? A new campaign has just been launched encouraging the introduction of smooth peanut butter and well-cooked egg from [...]

206, 2019

Flu Vaccine in Short Supply

June 2nd, 2019|

As you probably know there’s been an unprecedented rush on flu vaccines this year (for good reason) and they’re now in scarce supply.Though over 12 million Australians have already been vaccinated, another 400,000 vaccines will be arriving in Australia in the next fortnight for those not yet covered

2704, 2019

Flu Season 2019

April 27th, 2019|

Flu shots have arrived! So this is what we know so far: experts have predicted this may be the worst flu season ever, with over 26000 cases confirmed so far and over 4000 deaths predicted. The season has started far earlier than in previous years so we're vaccinating earlier, even [...]

2402, 2019

Final meningococcal vaccines

February 24th, 2019|

For those not yet covered, for a limited time there are still Tasmanian government-funded meningococcal ACWY vaccines available for all Tasmanians born after 1 August 1997, though in April the vaccines will only be available for adolescents in Year 10 through the school-based programme, and as catch up for 15-19 [...]

2302, 2019

Dr Toby Gardner in this month’s General Practice Matters

February 23rd, 2019|

Dr Toby Gardner thought about going to art school long before he considered a career in general practice. "Nowadays however, I can't imagine myself doing anything else - except wine-making,” he says. Find out more in this fortnight's General Practice Matters: https://bit.ly/2DXfQWi

3001, 2019

Australia Day Honours for A/Prof Don McTaggart

January 30th, 2019|

Congratulations to Tasmanian recipients of Australia Days honours, particularly local indefatigable cardiologist A/Prof Don McTaggart (AM), who set up the first ICU in the state at the North West Regional Hospital offered the first echocardiographic service in Tasmania, was the first cardiologist at the Launceston General Hospital and is still [...]

1201, 2019

Treating people suffering the effects of extreme heat

January 12th, 2019|

As politicians argue over climate change policy, GPs continue to be at the forefront of treating people suffering the effects of extreme heat. 2018 was the third hottest year on record, and so far, we think you’d agree this Summer has been a scorcher! As well as being more subject [...]

1001, 2019

Dr Rob Van Der Vlist hung up his stethoscope

January 10th, 2019|

After almost 35 years at Newstead Medical, Dr Rob Van Der Vlist hung up his stethoscope on 14 December 2018. Rob has made such a positive impact on many thousands of people over the course of his life and will be sorely missed. Rob bid farewell to many of his [...]

901, 2019

February will see the departure of 3 GP Registrars

January 9th, 2019|

February will see the departure of 3 GP Registrars, Dr James Tan, Dr Karinna Fyfe and Dr Boon Sie, as we welcome 5 new GP Registrars to Newstead Medical: Dr Verity Foulkes-Taylor, Dr Daniel Kirk, Dr Jason Jeffery, Dr Nicole Hutchens and Dr Adam Woodbury. GP Registrars are fully qualified [...]

801, 2019

More Australian five-year-olds are fully immunised than ever before

January 8th, 2019|

More Australian five-year-olds are fully immunised than ever before, new data has revealed, with rates at a high of 94.52%. Herd Immunity is when enough of the population has been vaccinated, so that even those who are too young or immune-compromised for vaccination are also protected. When the disease has [...]