Bonnells Bay Surgery joins Ochre network

Ochre Health will provide the Bonnells Bay community with enhanced medical services following its acquisition of Bonnells Bay Surgery.

As of July, Bonnells Bay Surgery has been operating as Ochre Medical Centre Bonnells Bay. The well-established local doctors’ surgery will continue to be led by its former owners of 28 years, Dr Mark Peterson and his wife, Dr Clare Van Rooy. The husband-and-wife team will also continue to be supported by the surgery’s other three doctors, Dr Stella Rumsey, Dr Renata Fuljahn and Dr Adam Moody, with Ochre Health looking to increase GP numbers and the range of services over time.

The Bonnells Bay Surgery, which has operated medical services in the town for nearly 30 years, was established by Dr Peterson and Dr Van Rooy following a holiday to the Lake Macquarie area after completing their GP training. When they discovered there was a pharmacy but no GP practice, the couple established the surgery, which was swiftly built in eight weeks. It has expanded over the years to cater for eight doctors and four nurses, along with a range of allied health services, including physiotherapy, podiatry and psychology.

Dr Peterson emphasises that Ochre Health’s acquisition of the surgery will provide important management and operational support for himself, Dr Van Rooy, and the other doctors. Otherwise, for all the doctors and their patients, it will be business as usual.

“Despite the name change, everything at the practice will remain the same, from our operating hours and our billing policies, to our management of patient records. Clare and I will be able to focus our energies on doing our medical work and looking after our patients in the same way as usual.”

Dr Van Rooy, who specialises in women’s health, says ensuring continuity of care for all patients throughout the transition has remained the surgery’s top priority. “Our surgery’s acquisition by Ochre Health will reinforce its longevity in the community. With Ochre’s help, we can continue to provide a high level of quality care for our patients, with the long-term goal of continuing to grow quality health services in Bonnells Bay. Ochre will also help us to sustain our teaching of registrars. For instance, working with us is Dr Georgina Girdler, who is looking to advance her skills in obstetrics and gynaecology. Dr Jason Maher is another registrar who has recently began practicing with the practice, and we will have further registrars joining us in the next few months.”

Practice Manager Karen Singleton-Turner says: “We are pleased that, as part of the Ochre Health network, our surgery will continue to offer the same high level of support to our community. We have a highly qualified team of doctors and allied health professionals that are well-known in the community, and who will remain at the practice to ensure our patients continue to receive excellent health care.”

Ochre Medical Centre Bonnells Bay is located at Suite 12, Bay Shopping Square, Fishery Point Road, Bonnells Bay. The practice is open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm, and Saturday 8.00am to 12.00pm. To book a consultation, please call (02) 4970 5255 or use the orange button.