Practice of the Year

By Kath Gannaway
MARYSVILLE Medical Clinic has been recognised as an outstanding example of general practice.
The clinic, headed by Dr Lachlan Fraser, was last week named the winner of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 2009 Victoria General Practice of the Year Award.
Everyone involved with the practice has had the toughest of years with the destruction of its Marysville clinic, Dr Fraser’s home and the home of the clinic’s nurse and secretary.
The award recognises the outstanding work of general practices; the commitment of the practice to ongoing quality improvements; the standard of facilities offered to patients and staff; and the services offered to the local community.
RACGP President Dr Chris Mitchell presented the award and thanked the Marysville team – Anne-Marie Ellis, practice manager/nurse, Robyn Fitzpatrick, secretary/nurse and Dr Lachlan Fraser.
Dr Morton Rawlin, Chair of the RACGP Victoria Faculty said the award was “a celebration of triumph over adversity”.
“We are always proud to celebrate the achievements of our profession but never more so than this year,” he said.
“What followed (the fires) is an inspirational story of professional and community support and co-operation,” Dr Rawlin said.
Dr Rawlin said a temporary building in Buxton was remodelled into a working clinic and Anne-Marie Ellis, the practice nurse and manager for the Marysville Clinic worked tirelessly to re-establish the administrative and medical needs of the clinic.
The clinic was fitted out with assistance and donations from all areas of the medical profession.
Dr Rod Trevena and Dr Stephen Trumble from The Thomas Street Family Medical Clinic provided weekly locum sessions and Dr Trevena continues this vital work, now assisted by Dr Michael Wong.
“One of the major contributions The Marysville Medical Clinic has made to the community’s recovery is to provide a standard medical service at the heart of the destruction,” Dr Rawlin said.
“Trauma and grief counselling are naturally high on the list of services provided but more regular health activities such as cholesterol management, blood pressure control and flu vaccination provides a degree of normality to people who have lost everything,” he added.
“With this award the RACGP has an opportunity to recognise not only the work of an outstandingly important community medical practice but to publicly celebrate the resilience of general practice and the cohesiveness of our profession,” said Dr Rawlin.
Dr Fraser said the award was recognition of the accredited practice that existed before the fires, and was acknowledgement of the hard work of all the people and agencies that enabled the speedy return of medical services to the area.
“The locum services allow me to continue the much needed community reconstruction work, and the award keeps Marysville in the minds of the wider community and encourages us to continue on the long road ahead,” he said.