As we edge toward the end of 2025, the festive spirit has well and truly arrived at Your Family Doctors. This time of year always brings a moment to pause and reflect, and we’re grateful for the trust you place in us throughout the ups and downs of life. It’s a privilege to be part of your health journey, and we’re proud to continue caring for our wonderful and supportive community.
In this month’s Christmas newsletter, we have plenty to share. You’ll find updates on our Christmas opening hours, our launch of HotDoc routine requests for your convenience, and information about our onsite pathology service, Laverty. We’re also covering important changes to government bulk-billing incentives, women’s health rebate changes for Mirena and Implanon insertions, and an update on GPs and ADHD prescribing.
There’s lots happening behind the scenes too—We have staff incoming and outgoing and we welcome our newest doctor, Cherie. There are highlights from the GP25 Conference, our recent Christmas party and announcement of employee of the year. Our Christmas Door Decorating Competition is back and better than ever. With creativity in overdrive, it’s certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at YFD… but who will take out the winning door this year?
CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS
Your Family Doctors will be open during the Christmas and New Year periods except for the public holidays. Please see our opening hours as listed above. A friendly reminder to check your scripts in advance and don’t leave them until the last minute as some of our doctors will be on leave.
Need a GP after hours during the Christmas period? Bridges GP after hours clinic at Erina and Kanwal will remain open. A copy of your consultation notes and any test results will be sent to your local GP as we know continuity of care is so important.
For more information on how this service is operating during the Christmas and holiday period go to https://ccpc.com.au/after-hours-gp-clinics/. This clinic accepts walk ins.
The Urgent Care Clinic at Long Jetty is also available for non life threatening injuries or illnesses. Call health direct on 1800 022 222 to speak to a nurse and book an appointment. Walk ins may not be accepted.
In the event of an emergency please go to Gosford or Wyong hospital or call 000.
HOT DOC – ROUTINE REQUESTS
Patients of Your Family Doctors at Erina are now able to request a routine repeat prescription or referral online via Hot Doc. Please note this service is only available for existing patients, for routine repeat prescriptions and referrals only, and with the patients’ regular doctor. There is an online fee charged for each request. The practice is still providing ‘script only appointments’ with your regular doctor if you call reception and is usually bulk billed.
For our Terms and Conditions follow this link …. https://yourfamilydoctors.com.au/hot-doc-routine-requests/
GOVERNMENT BULK BILLING INCENTIVE CHANGES
You may have heard media reports from 1 November about some clinics “going back to bulk billing.” We want to be open and honest that Your Family Doctors at Erina will not be moving to universal bulk billing. Our priority is simple — quality care comes first. Private billing allows us to continue to provide the high-quality care you and your family deserve with;
- Longer, more thorough consultations
- Continuity of care with your regular GP
- Experienced nurses and practice staff
- Investment in essential equipment and technology
- A focus on preventative and comprehensive healthcare—not rushed, “6-minute medicine”
- To allow us to remain a locally owned, independent practice supporting local jobs and personalised healthcare
While recent government announcements have made headlines, the Medicare rebate still doesn’t cover the true cost of delivering high-quality general practice care. Recent cuts to chronic disease management and mental health item numbers will impact patient funding further. If you feel the cost of healthcare and Medicare rebate isn’t meeting your needs, we encourage you to share your concerns with your local federal MP.
We understand the cost-of-living pressures are real. To support our community, we continue to offer:
- Bulk-billed script-only appointments for routine repeat scripts and referrals (if seen face-to-face in the past 12 months)
- Bulk-billed health assessments
- Efficient systems that reduce unnecessary visits
Thank you for choosing a practice where time, compassion and experience matter. Your support helps keep independent general practice strong in our community.
GOOD NEWS FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
MBS rebates for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) — including Mirenas and Implanon — have recently been increased to make these options more affordable. As part of these changes, Your Family Doctors can now bulk bill these services.
We’re also pleased to share that Dr Krissie Gibbes and Dr Jill McDowell are available for Mirena insertions, and most of our GPs can insert Implanon. If you’ve been thinking about long-acting contraception or just want to chat through your options, we’re here to help. Just book an appointment and we’ll guide you through it.
CHANGES TO GP PRESCRIBING FOR ADHD MEDICATION
There have been some important updates to how GPs can support patients needing ADHD medication. GPs are now able to take on a greater role in prescribing stimulant medication through shared-care arrangements with paediatricians and psychiatrists. This means that once a specialist has made the diagnosis and initiated treatment, your regular GP can help continue your care under their guidance. In addition, some of our GPs who have undertaken the required extra training are now able to provide continuation prescribing for suitable patients whose ADHD management is already stable.
It’s important to note that at present GPs in NSW are still not permitted to formally diagnose ADHD or start stimulant medication. All new diagnoses and initial prescriptions must continue to come from a paediatrician or psychiatrist
To ensure safe and appropriate prescribing, all shared-care and continuation prescribing appointments must be face-to-face and booked with your regular GP—we’re unable to provide script-only visits or quick prescription requests for these medications.
As always, our focus is on delivering safe, consistent, and supportive care. If you have questions about these changes or think shared care might be suitable for you or your child, please chat with your usual GP.
LAVERTY PATHOLOGY
Just a reminder that Your Family Doctors at Erina have a Laverty Pathology onsite collection centre at our premises. Laverty is a leading pathology provider in NSW and ACT and operates 4 mornings a week – Monday to Thursday from 8am to 12 pm. During the holiday period please check online for opening hours https://www.laverty.com.au/locations/erina-eina or call the practice before you attend to ensure pathology staff are present.
STAFF NEWS
WELCOME DR CHERIE CASTAING
The YFD team are very excited to welcome Dr Cherie Castaing to our practice.
Dr Castaing completed her medical degree in 1994 at Otago University (NZ), headed to the warmer beaches of the Central Coast and hasn’t left. She completed her training at Gosford Hospital including Paediatrics, Addiction medicine and a Diploma in O&G, then gained a fellowship in General Practice.
She worked for many years in Umina and from 2018-2025 at Saratoga where she co-founded “Health for Her” a midlife women’s health service.
Cherie is particularly interested in diabetes and chronic disease management, menopause and all things women’s health, but enjoys the variety of general practice across the lifespan.
Outside of medicine Cherie has been busy raising three children. She can often be serving behind the bar of her local SLSC or in her spare time she enjoys walking her dog and generally enjoying the great outdoors.
GP 25 CONFERENCE
Last month, Dr Elly Warren proudly represented the YFD team at the GP25 Conference in Brisbane. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with GPs from across Australia — including a few friendly faces from right here on the Central Coast! She even spotted Dr Georgia Page’s poster, she co-authored, on her GP education and recruitment project.
Dr Elly soaked up the energy and excitement of being together with passionate GP advocates, all showcasing the heart of general practice and the amazing work being done in our communities every day.
YFD EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Our 2025 Employee of the year award goes to our incredible Practice Nurse Lynne Campey!
It was an extremely close call this year with so many outstanding team members, but Lynne managed to pip the rest at the post with her extraordinary efficiency, endless kindness, and truly exceptional patient care. Add to that her legendary ability to multitask like she’s had a triple-serve of Weetbix for breakfast—and you’ve got a very deserving winner!
Thank you Lynne for being the calm in the chaos. We are so grateful for everything you and all our staff do.
CHRISTMAS DOOR COMPETITION
The festive season has arrived, which can only mean one thing—our YFD Christmas Door Decorating Competition is back! The creativity among our team is already on full display, with colourful and clever designs popping up throughout the practice. Once all doors are finished, we’ll share the photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages so our patients can join in the fun and cast their votes!
STAFF OUTGOINGS
As we welcome new staff, it is always sad to say goodbye to some of our valued team members.
Last month we farewelled our wonderful receptionist, Fiona. After many years of welcoming patients with her warm smile and keeping things running smoothly at YFD, Fiona has hung up her headset and started a new adventure — retirement! We wish her all the best as she enjoys the slower pace of country life… though we suggest starting with chickens before upgrading to a Shetland pony!
We also bid farewell to our wonderful nurse Jo who will soon be trying her hand at some fast-paced acute medicine. Any patients who cross her path will be incredibly lucky to have her caring for them.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL PATIENTS!
STAFF AND FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY 2025
As we wrap up this year’s Christmas newsletter, we want to thank you for being part of the Your Family Doctors community. We wish you a joyful festive season and a healthy, happy year ahead with your loved ones. If you’d like to stay connected over the holidays, follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates, health tips, and a peek into life at YFD. Our website is also a great source of information, so please check out our blog for health information written by our team. Stay well.
Love Team YFD xx
