Banksia Medical Centre wins general practice of the year

A medical centre with sites in Torquay and Newcomb has been named Australia’s general practice of the year.

RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins (centre in hat) and Banksia Medical Centre owner Dr Bernard Shiu with team members Dr Jenny Huang, Kerrie Palmer, Amanda Demark and Isabella Rothon. Picture: Supplied

Banksia Medical Centre, which has sites in Newcomb and Torquay, has been named general practice of the year.

It received the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners honour at the college’s 2023 national awards presentation in Sydney on Wednesday night.

The college said it had been recognised for its innovative approach, including setting up the first community-based long Covid clinic.

The established training practice is known as one of the region’s most linguistically and culturally diverse clinics, according to the RACGP.

Banksia Medical Centre owner Dr Bernard Shiu. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Torquay branch opened in January, while the Newcomb clinic opened more than 30 years ago.

Owner Bernard Shiu bought it eight years ago.

Dr Shiu said he was very privileged and honoured that the RACGP recognised the work Banksia Medical Centre was doing.

“It’s very much a team effort,” he said.

“I’m really, really proud.”

Dr Shiu said the win was not about the bricks and mortar, but the type of care delivered.

“Even a humble little practice in Geelong can still be national award-winning,” he said.

“We will continue to explore different innovative approaches in delivering primary care to our patients.

“We would like to inspire more clinics to go above and beyond their usual care delivery methods … to cater for the needs of their communities.”

Originally published as Banksia Medical Centre wins general practice of the year