Medicubes

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka speak with Dan Stinton, CEO and Managing Director of HealthEngine, about recent developments in Australia’s largest healthcare provider marketplace and the evolving landscape of digital health technology for medical practices.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka are joined by Louise Riley, Bianca McCulloch, Jacob Grooby, and Alexis Mohay from the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss the latest changes to bulk billing and the launch of the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP).

The panel addresses common questions from registered practices, clarifying the practical and administrative impacts of the new incentive arrangements. Recorded live from a FAQ webinar session focused on supporting practice managers, owners, and clinical teams in understanding the changes necessary for successful implementation.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim continue their conversation with Jo Winwood, focusing on social prescribing, aged care, and early intervention in primary care.

Providing a clear explanation of social prescribing, its origins in the UK, and how it relates to the broader concept of holistic, person-centred care. 

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka, Kim, and Chris are joined by Jo Winwood, Associate Director of Healthy Living and Ageing at Healthy North Coast. Discussing aged care in Australia, recent reforms driven by the Royal Commission, and the practical implications for general practice teams and their elderly patients.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by guest Anne Fidler to discuss Australia’s new national lung cancer screening programme and its implications for general practice.

Discussing the programme’s eligibility criteria, key statistics regarding lung cancer incidence and mortality, and the stigma faced by people with a current or past history of smoking. Anne shares her personal experiences as a lung cancer patient and advocate, along with the need for supportive, non-judgemental conversations in primary care settings.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim and Riwka are joined by Dr Chris Bollen (Adelaide GP and Director of Bollen Health) and Jane Bollen (Primary Health Care Nurse Consultant) to discuss healthy ageing, focusing on primary care strategies for supporting muscle health, preventing frailty, and promoting independence from age 40 onwards.

Exploring the importance of addressing muscle health proactively, the role of GPs and nurses in screening for pre-frailty, and practical approaches for embedding evidence-based practices in health assessments.

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In this episode of Medicubes, Chris, Riwka, Kim are joined live at the Best Practice Summit 2025 by Craig Hodges (CEO, Best Practice), Janice Tan (GM of Clinical at Bupa), Steven Kaye (GP and RACGP committee member), Jaspreet Saini (GP and Chief Medical Officer, HotDoc), and Kylie Payne (CEO, Interconnect Healthcare). The panel explores the primary care landscape, with a focus on technology-enabled practice management, digital health, and the practical implications for practice managers working in Australian general practice.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim, Chris, and Riwka are joined by Melissa Freeman, Managing Director and Lead Nurse at Port Macquarie's Wound Care Clinic, to discuss the new National Wound Consumables Scheme. Addressing eligibility, access, training requirements, and the anticipated patient and health system benefits associated with this programme.

Melissa outlines the historical context behind the scheme, highlighting the significant prevalence of chronic wounds in Australia and the considerable financial burden placed on patients and the health system. She explains the intent to fill a gap for patients who do not otherwise qualify for wound...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by Samuel Johnson, Australian actor and founder of the charity “Love Your Sister”, to discuss the evolving landscape of precision medicine in cancer care and the importance of equitable access for all patients.

Samuel shares his personal motivation for advocating precision medicine, detailing his late sister’s experiences with cancer and her early efforts to secure access to breakthrough treatments. Talking about the science and practice of precision medicine – formerly termed personalised treatment and targeted therapy – focusing on genomics-led approaches that match cancer treatment to an individual...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim discuss the recent changes to chronic condition management plans in general practice, with a particular focus on implications for Allied Health professionals.

Outlining the transition from the previous GP Management Plan (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangement (TCA) system to the new, single GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). These changes, effective from 1 July, are designed to simplify processes for general practice and allied health providers alike. They also address the practical consequences of these changes, referrals, compliance requirements, billing, and ongoing communication between GPs and Allied Health.<...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka, Kim, and Chris outline the upcoming changes to chronic disease management and care planning in general practice, focusing on the shift from the traditional CDM (Chronic Disease Management) items to the new GPCCMP (General Practice Chronic Condition Management Plan) items effective 1st July.

They target primary care Practice Managers and team members preparing for these changes, summarising implications for workflows, patient eligibility, and Medicare billing.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka bring listeners the latest developments from the Digital Health Festival 2025. Speaking with a range of industry representatives. Sharing current trends and practical considerations for practice managers navigating the evolving digital health environment.

They note the vast increase in vendors offering AI solutions. Practice managers are advised to stay informed, assess the fit for their own organisations, and engage with the wider community and industry forums to shape and benefit from digital health innovations.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by Danielle Bancroft, Chief Product Officer at Best Practice and practising pharmacist, to discuss the future of cloud technology in general practice software.

They explore what “cloud” means in a primary care context, how it differs from existing on-site servers, and the practical benefits and challenges for practices considering a transition. Focusing on the gradual, manageable introduction of new cloud-enabled features to support clinics in their day-to-day operation.

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In this episode of Medicubes, join hosts Chris and Riwka for a comprehensive debrief on the Big GP Budget. They are joined by Kelly Chard, a chartered accountant specialising in medical practices, and Bruce Willett, a general practitioner and former RACGP vice president.

They delve into the implications of the recent budget announcement for general practices. They discuss major changes, including bulk billing incentives, adjustments to GP workforce training, women's health initiatives, urgent care clinics, and key non-health budget impacts on practices.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by Dr Sarah Mollard, a GP from Five Star Medical Centre and clinical lead at Healthy North Coast. They delve into the topic of palliative care involvement in primary care, particularly the role of nurses.

Sharing her insights on shifting perspectives around palliative care, emphasising its importance in enhancing patients’ quality of life earlier in their journey rather than just in their final days.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim, Riwka, and Chris are joined by Dr Cheryl Wilson. Originally from Canada, Dr Wilson has built a remarkable career in sports therapy and medicine, being the first woman in Canada to work as a sports therapist with a professional ice hockey team.

Dr Wilson later moved to Australia where she studied at Flinders University and pursued rural general practice and lifestyle medicine. She has extensive expertise in athletic therapy, sports medicine, rural practice, and lifestyle medicine.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by Michele Blanshard from Magentus Practice Management.

Discussing the evolution of practice management software, they focused on Magentus' Genie and Gen2 platforms. Michele shares her insights on the shift from desktop-based systems to cloud-based solutions, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with this transition.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by Dr Maria Boulton, a GP, business owner, and advocate for the medical sector. Dr Boulton shares insights from her extensive experience in managing medical practices and her role in the advocacy for general practice.

Discussing the importance of happiness and shared values in her co-owned practice, Family Doctors Plus. Dr Boulton elaborates on the distinctions between her role, which includes marketing and crisis management, and her colleague Fiona's focus on clinical protocols and procedures.

She also touched on the...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by Dr Jaspreet Saini, Principal GP at Rosedale Medical Practice and Clinic Director at Healthicare.

They delve into the topic of personal branding for healthcare professionals, discussing its significance, benefits, and practical implementation in the healthcare industry. Dr Saini shares his insights on how personal branding can help healthcare providers establish trust, build a narrative, and connect with patients and colleagues.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka are joined by Danielle Bancroft, Chief Product Officer at Best Practice Software and a practising pharmacist. Her role in Best Practice involves strategic leadership, understanding customer needs, and balancing these with regulatory requirements. They explore the innovations in healthcare technology, data security, and the evolving role of technology in patient care.

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In this episode of Medicubes, join hosts Chris and Riwka as they delve into the latest updates on Chronic Disease Management (CDM), which is transitioning to Chronic Care Management (CCM). 

Chris and Riwka reviewed the delayed implementation of new CDM/CCM protocols, originally slated for 1 November 2024, now extended to 1 July 2025. Discussing the Department of Health and Aging's rationale behind the delay, aiming to give practices and providers additional time to prepare for the significant changes.

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Kim invite Kelly Chard, founder of GrowthMD, to discuss the complexities of payroll tax for medical practices in Australia. Exploring the challenges practice managers face, provide insights into recent changes, and offer practical advice for navigating this intricate landscape.

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In this new season of the Medicubes podcast, join hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim as they delve into the latest changes in chronic disease management and the GP aged care incentives.

Focusing on how the new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) updates will impact practice management, primary care, and specialists across Australia. Discussing the easing of the administrative burden associated with chronic disease management, the introduction of MyMedicare registration for chronic care patients, and the anticipated changes to aged care incentives. Giving insights into the upcoming MBS item numbers and how practices should prepare for these significant changes.<...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim, Chris, and Riwka welcome Ken Griffin from the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association. Although Ken does not have a nursing or healthcare professional qualification, he is passionate about nursing and is actively raising funds for cancer through the Shitbox Rally.

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APNA Workforce Survey: Revealing the existence of 96,000 nurses in primary healthcare and a notable underutilisation of the workforce, with 31% of nurses rarely or occasionally working to their full scope of practice.

Impact of COVID-19: Pandemic has led to some improvement in workforce...

In this special budget edition of Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka delve into the healthcare highlights of the May 2024 federal budget. Chris and Riwka unpack the key updates relevant to primary care practice managers, exploring financial allocations, policy changes, and their implications for general practice and broader healthcare settings.

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Discussion on the new timeframe for claiming bulk-billed services and its impact on practice workflows. Practices will need to adjust as the claim period reduces from two years to 12 months after the date of service, effective 2025-2026.

Overview of the funding...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by guest Robert Dickson to delve into the latest findings from the Touchstone report, a comprehensive analysis of primary care billing trends and practices in Australia.

Robert, the Chief Operating Officer at Cubiko, brings both his passion for healthcare technology and personal interests into the conversation.

The ebook is available at: https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/general-practice-benchmarks-2024/

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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim speak with special guest Denise Lyons, an experienced Nurse Practitioner in Newcastle. Denise provides insights into the role and evolution of nurse practitioners in Australia, shedding light on their qualifications, scope of practice, financial viability, and future prospects within the healthcare sector.

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In this episode of the Medicubes podcast, hosts Kim, Riwka, and Chris delve into the critical topic of effective communication within primary care practices. 

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First episode back for 2024!

In this episode, Chris and Riwka welcome practice management professional Leonie Chamberlain to the show. With more than two decades of experience within general practice, Leonie provides insights into the different aspects of general practice supervision and management.

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In this episode of the Medicubes Podcast, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by Dr Tony Lembke, an experienced GP and former clinical director of the Australian Primary Care Collaborative. The episode focuses on the topic of quality improvement in general practice and its impact on patient care, practice sustainability, and provider experience. Dr Lemke shares his insights and experiences from working with numerous general practices, providing practical examples of quality improvements and discussing the importance of a culture of continuous improvement.

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In this episode of the Medicubes podcast, join Chris, Riwka and Kim as they unpack the latest news on payroll tax in Queensland with Dr. Bruce Willett, a returning guest to the show.

Bruce shares important updates on the public ruling regarding payroll tax for general practices in Queensland. He highlights key changes, clarifies the determination of a relevant contract, and explains how the flow of funds plays a crucial role. Tune in for some valuable insights on how the updated public ruling provides clarity and a clear path forward for Queensland practices.

Make sure...

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim are joined by guest Kylie Gibson, Business Manager at Fisher Family Practice, Holder Family Practice and Fisher Allied Health.  

They discuss the important role of social workers in general practice, the benefits of integrating social workers into care teams, the various services they provide, and how they support vulnerable elderly individuals to remain in their homes. 

Tune in for insights into the collaborative approach between social workers and GPs, the challenges faced, and the positive impact on patient care.

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In this episode of Medicubes, join Ben Ryan and Kelly Chard as they discuss the intricacies of payroll tax for GP clinics.

They cover how payroll tax affects medical practices in Australia and the recent crackdown by revenue offices on non-compliant practices. Hear real-world cases highlighting the importance of properly classifying doctors to not run into payroll tax pain later down the line.

This is part 2 of this mini-series on payroll tax.  Jump back to episode 17 on this podcast feed for part 1.

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In this episode of Medicubes, join Ben Ryan and Kelly Chard as they discuss the intricacies of payroll tax for GP clinics.

They cover how payroll tax affects medical practices in Australia and the recent crackdown by revenue offices on non-compliant practices. Hear real-world cases highlighting the importance of properly classifying doctors to not run into payroll tax pain later down the line.

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In this episode of Medicubes, Riwka Hagen, Chris Smeed and Kim Poyner dive into the hot topic of the week - new patient registration, MyMedicare and its impact on healthcare practices in Australia. 

The team answer your questions and share valuable insights and guidance on understanding the differences between enrolling and registering patients, the changes with patient registration, and the potential challenges practices may face. 

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In this episode, Chris, Kim and Riwka are joined by special guest Albert Naffah, CEO of CommBank Health, who brings a wealth of expertise to the discussion as they explore the role of digital technology in the healthcare industry.

Albert discusses the challenges faced by healthcare businesses and how digital solutions can create efficiencies and enhance the patient experience. He also reveals how Smart Health, a payment and claims platform with integrated analytics, is helping medical practices get paid more efficiently while attracting patients and talent alike.

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In this episode of the Medicubes Podcast, hosts Chris Smeed, Riwka Hagen and Kim Poyner are joined by Dr Sean Stevens, co-owner of Grove Medical Victoria Park, to discuss the importance of building a positive culture in healthcare organisations.

Explore the insights and experiences that have shaped his views on the subject, as well as his tips for creating a workplace that fosters innovation and success.

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Welcome to a special episode of the Medicubes Podcast hosted by Chris Smeed, Riwka Hagen and Kim Poyner.  

This episode is a deep dive into the recent federal budget and its implications for General Practice.

Joining the team in the second half of this episode is Bruce Willett, the National Vice President of the RACGP. 

About the Guest:

Bruce Willett is not just the National Vice President of RACGP, but also the Queensland RACGP chair and a practice owner of a large group practice south of Brisbane. His interests include medical edu...

Welcome to The Medicubes Podcast with your hosts Riwka Hagen, Chris Smeed, and Kim Poyner. 

This episode features guest Deb Walter, a practice owner and manager of Sanctuary Medical Practice in Fletcher, New South Wales. 

Deb has firsthand experience with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) and is passionate about accessibility and inclusion in healthcare because of her son Charlie, who lives with spina bifida and intellectual disability.

In this episode, the hosts and Deb discuss the successes and challenges of NDIS and share insights into how healthcare organisations can improve their services to...

In this episode, we explore the vital role of practice managers in healthcare and discuss the Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM)'s importance in supporting them. We cover how the role of practice managers has changed during the Covid pandemic, the relentless advocacy for the profession, and the upcoming AAPM conference.

Join us in this exciting episode as we delve into the world of practice management and the crucial role it plays within the healthcare community. With our guest, Miranda Grace - CEO of the Australian Association of Practice Management's (AAPM), we discuss the impact of...