Welcome Brangan Medical

A new era of general practice has arrived  on the Cooloola Coast with Brangan Medical, joined by local private investor Peter Marriott, who have taken ownership of the Cooloola Coast Clinic and Rainbow Beach Medical Practice.

New Practice Director, Tony Brangan, has been involved in the health industry for 37 years, starting in pharmacy before moving into general practice ownership in the last decade.

“Through my work as a pharmacist I was able to gain insight into patients’ needs from a service point of view and have translated these methods of operation into general practice creating an improved experience for patients,” Tony explained.

Initial improvements include installing extra phone lines, reactivation of online bookings and expanding SMS broadcasting for booking confirmations, appointment reminders, non-urgent recall requests and health notices.

The Clinic and Practice are using BetterConsult, a new initiative by PHN that is aimed at doctors being able to provide a greater quality service and enhanced patient experience. The online pre-consultation form is sent via SMS link and details questions that would usually be asked at a visit.

By allowing patients to complete the survey at their own discretion, detailed considerations and symptoms can be included for the doctor to focus on getting the right treatment.

BetterConsult is private, confidential and secure, is only visible to your doctor or medical provider and is optional for patient use and not an appointment requirement.

Before the practice purchase, Brangan Medical identified the area was grossly underserviced, undertook a study into local metrics, researched the community dynamics and became involved with the Cooloola Coast Health Network.

Tony outlined a vision to “substantiate the Tin Can Bay Clinic, enhance the Rainbow Beach Practice and establish a significant presence at Cooloola Cove.

“Through the purchase of the Cooloola Coast Clinic and Rainbow Beach Medical Practice we are able to immediately establish a patient relationship which will enable successful expansion.”

GP recruitment is a difficult situation, federal law changes last July for doctors working under restriction benefit from our remote status, however potential GP’s are presented with limitations surrounding spousal employment opportunities and education availability.

Tony and wife Sandy have relocated to Tin Can Bay and are developing an attraction strategy that highlights the merits of living on the Cooloola Coast to hopefully secure long term GPs.

Other future plans include an overhaul of the website and online presence, moving to 100% bulk billing for patients and establishment of a telehealth facility.

For the immediate time though, there will be a focus on navigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.