BCHS Annual Report 2025 - Report - Page 38
Medical practice
GPs hard work
pays o昀昀
We are proud to recognise the
achievements of Dr Shivawn Stevens
and Dr Gaurav Movalia. Dr Shivawn
completed her training with the Royal
Australian College of General Practitioners
in April and is now a fellowed GP, while
Dr Movalia was awarded accredited GP
supervisor status in May. Congratulations
to you both.
The team has also welcomed new
registrar in Dr Joshua Columbus (below),
who shares that he feels a deep calling to
community health thanks to his own lived
experience.
Born in the remote jungles among the
Karen Resistance Group, on the border
of Thailand and Myanmar, BCHS’ newest
GP understands better than most the
complex needs some people face.
“Medicine is not just about knowledge –
it’s about compassion, dedication and
the ability to connect with patients on a
human level,” he said.
DiSS demand grows
The past year has been one of
consolidation and growth for
Doctors in Secondary Schools
(DiSS). The program is engaged
with 昀椀ve local schools and their
wellbeing teams to ensure highquality and accessible primary
health care is provided to
students.
The last year has seen a number
of sta昀昀 movements including two
departing the program; Amanda
Kingma began at Weeroona
College; Dr Shivawn Stephens
joined the team; and Dr Johanna
Dennis increased her coverage
from three to four schools.
Clinic hours have been expanded
to keep up with increasing
demand. Three schools are now
approved for six-hour clinics while
the remaining two operate fourhour clinics with the 昀氀exibility to
extend to six hours if need be.
The program has also seen a key
development take place with a
stronger collaboration with the
BCHS paediatrics team. Referrals
are now more streamlined with
clear and comprehensive referral
documentation. Dr Johanna is
working one day a week within the
paediatric team which is helping
to reduce delays and unnecessary
appointments. Students are also
bene昀椀ting through continuity of
care with the ability for cases
seen in paediatrics able to be
followed up in the school setting.
Feedback for DiSS continues to
be positive from students, families
and school wellbeing teams who
all say they value the accessibility,
holistic approach and time taken
to understand and support
student health needs.
Sensitive community care
Clients and clinicians alike have reported positive feedback to a new
initiative put in place by the Community Health Nurse at the Bendigo
Multidisciplinary Centre. The Sensitive Practice Request Form is a
con昀椀dential, optional tool that allows patients to communicate their
needs, preferences, and potential triggers to the clinical team before
their appointment. It is designed to empower patients by giving them
a voice in their care, particularly concerning sensitivities related to past
trauma, anxiety, sensory issues, or physical and emotional comfort. It is
promoting safety, trust and collaboration and reducing the potential of
re-traumatisation.
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“The form gave me
the voice to say what
I wanted to without
needing to speak.”
