Galdstone Road Medical Centre
General Practitioners are the foundation of the modern health system and are your navigators through the health system.
The GP can assess and manage any illness. Such management may include referral to a specialist Doctor or Allied Health Worker.
The GP can undertake mental health assessments and if appropriate refer you to a Psychiatrist, Psychologist/ Counsellor, or Mental Health Support Service.
Acute trauma, including lacerations, fractures, and wounds can usually be managed within the Medical Center. At times the GP may refer you to a hospital if that is required.
ECG’s, Spirometry and minor surgery are regularly performed within the Medical Center.
The GP can provide certificates/ reports for CentreLink, WorkCover, your employer, and your insurance provider ( usually not a service covered by Medicare).
You are encouraged to develop a therapeutic relationship with one doctor and continue to see that doctor for your care over time. Who you see is always your choice. However your preferred doctor will not always be available and at times you may need to see a different doctor on an interim basis.
Care is patient centered and you are encouraged to collaborate with your doctor in order to make the best decisions about your health. We encourage you to be as informed as much as possible .
GP’s are acredited in a number of ways so that they maintain high professional standards and ongoing education. GRMC itself is accredited through AGPAL
HISTORY OF GLADSTONE ROAD
GRMC began in 1989 as a collaboration between Dr David Orth and the Queensland AIDS Council to provide community based services for those afflicted, and those affected by HIV/AIDS in Brisbane.
At that time it filled a significant gap in service delivery and operated out of a community centre in Woolloongabba, staffed by volunteers and was known s the Gay and Lesbian Health Service. In 1990 it moved to its current premises in Highgate Hill and its brief widened to provide General Practice services within the local community of South Brisbane. Over the years it attracted many dedicated Doctors Nurses and Therapists who wanted to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by HIV/AIDS within a community setting. During the early years it was essentially a palliative care and sexual health screening/ treatment/ education service. As part of the Kirby Institue GRMC’s patients and doctors were involved in many key HIV Therapy Studies, from INCAS, CAESAR, including SMART, ESPIRIT, and currently QPREP and AHOD.
As time passed and effective therapies were developed it became a highly credentialed center for treatment and care of those affected by and at risk of HIV/AIDS. By 2005 HIV infection had became a well understood chronic manageable illness and AIDS almost completely disappeared. With the crises over QUAC no longer saw itself as a Medical Provider and the clinic was sold to Dr David Orth. GRMC was then able to become a more typical general practice, providing general services to the wider community, as well as continuing to provide Sexual Health Services and treatment and care to people with HIV. Teaching medical Students and GP Registrars became part of GRMC’s brief, allowing the culture and special expertise developed here to become more widely disseminated amongst Health Care services generally.
With time GRMC was transformed into the vibrant inner city General Practice it is today, well known for its high standards of evidence based care , tolerance, and accessibility for all, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or level of income. As GRMC nears the end of it’s third decade it continues to be able to attract young talented Doctors and Nurses who help to meet our current challenges and who will take us forward into the future.
