Rural Medical Clinic, Manilla

26/08/2025

This is a fantastic service. We are fortunate to have Matt, Tanikka and team providing clinics from our practice each month.

This week we got a glimpse at some of the work Tanikka and Matt do as part of the Integrated Chronic Care for Aboriginal People Program (ICCAPP) at Hunter New England Local Health District. We asked about Matt’s experience working alongside Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP), Tanikka.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺?
My name is Matt Crawford and I’ve been working as the Clinical Nurse Consultant for the ICCAPP for the past 12 years and Tanikka is a senior AHP I work alongside.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗼?
We assist Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people above the age of 15 who have or are at risk of developing chronic disease. Working on Kamilaroi/Gomeroi Country, we provide clinical services to help prevent and manage their health condition.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗮, 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗛𝗣 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲?
Working together for 6 years, we’ve both contributed to each other’s professional growth. It would be unjust of me to describe a single scenario where Tanikka contributed to delivering the best possible outcome for a patient — she does this every single day she comes to work. Tanikka provides cultural clarity on the clinical picture and understands holistic health approaches when working with Aboriginal communities. Her local knowledge, connections, and patient advocacy allow our team to enhance the care we provide to patients and their families.

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗛𝗣𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲?
Having worked in the Aboriginal Health space for many years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside numerous AHPs across NSW. These experiences have taught me the importance of developing deep connections with the community, and being validated as a culturally safe clinician to provide the best outcomes for patients.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗛𝗣𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺?
AHPs act as trusted intermediaries between Aboriginal patients and the health care system. They’ve been essential health care providers, cultural custodians, educators, and advocates for patients. Their presence shapes the health system to be more inclusive, accessible, and effective for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"Our model of care has proven success with reducing hospitalisations, improving quality of life, and decreasing mortality rates which align with our Close The Gap commitment. Tanikka and I have an agreed understanding that it is Close the Gap Day every day."

Want to learn more about Aboriginal Health Practitioners? Find more information about AHPs on our website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/aboriginal/Pages/aboriginal-health-worker.aspx

19/08/2025

Due to staff shortages, Laverty will be closed from 20th August and will reopen Monday 25th August ☹️ For any urgent pathology, please contact Manilla Hospital to make an appointment with NSW Health Pathology.

11/08/2025

Thanks for your effort in organising this recycling initiative Mrs Sneesby.

♻️ Manilla Pharmacy is excited to let all our customers know we are now a collection point for all your blister pack recycling ♻️

Pharmacycle is an Australian company which provides a full recycling solution from start to finish.

Once our collector box is full it is then transported to a processing facility located in Sydney and the recycling process is commenced.

We would like to thank Delma Sneesby for helping us with this process and being our first customer to use the Pharmacycle bin in store 🤩

07/08/2025

We are excited to welcome two new doctors, Dr Raazmin Shafique and Dr Matt Parsons, who joined us this week as part of their specialist GP training time. They will be working between the practice and Manilla Hospital.
Raaz and Matt both have experience in ED and GP Clinics in Tamworth.

30/07/2025

We have just been notified that Laverty will be unavailable for pathology collections at the practice today. We apologise for the inconvenience.

30/07/2025

Our dedicated team of Doctors are still taking on new patients 🩺 Call us on 02 6785 1095 or book online at HotDoc.com.au and search for Rural Medical Clinic to make your next appointment !

29/07/2025

Our warmest congratulations to Dr Kirralea Bartholomew and her husband Luke on the arrival of their third son, baby Gaius (“Guy”). Born Friday 25th July weighing 3.47kg (7 lb 10oz); length 49.5cm and head circumference 35cm. 💙🩵💙

25/07/2025

Expressions of Interest 📢📢

We are looking to run another Q Fever Clinic. If you are wanting to get your Q Fever vaccine or wanting more information, please call us on 6785 1095 and speak to our lovely reception team.

Q fever is a bacterial infection that can cause a severe flu-like illness. For some people, Q fever can affect their health and ability to work for many years. The bacteria are spread from animals, mainly cattle, sheep and goats.

10/07/2025

🌿 Early Detection Saves Lives 🌿

If you’re between 50 and 70 years old and have ever smoked, you may be eligible for free lung cancer screening under the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program.

Early detection can make all the difference — so don’t wait.

📍 Visit us at the Rural Medical Clinic to check your eligibility

📍 If eligible, we can get you enrolled in the program, and referred for your first screening scan

📍 Scans are bulk-billed at any imaging provider under the new Program

✅ Quick check
✅ Friendly team
✅ Peace of mind

Book your appointment today!
📞 Call us on 02 6785 1095

08/07/2025

Attention Patients 📢
We are looking for a cleaner with an ABN available Wednesday and Friday nights. If this sounds like yourself or someone you know, please email us at practicemanager@ruralmedicalclinic.com.au 🧹🧼🫧

11/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AhKPXr9Vm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

CIRCLES OF CONTROL | We have a limited amount of energy available, particularly after events like a disaster, so this energy is best directed towards the things we have control over.

Thinking about how much control, influence or concern we have over various aspects of our life is important.

🔷 CONCERN: We often have very little control over or influence in changing things like the weather, media and actions or opinions of others, but these things can still impact us.

🔷 INFLUENCE: There are things in our community which you may be able to influence but are less in control of. They might include the people in your life, family, neighbours, colleagues, how you spend your time, your level of knowledge or skills.

🔷 CONTROL: Things we make choices about and have direct control over such as what you read, say, do, attitude, diet, exercise, rest, and the people you choose to be around.

Focusing on the inner circle of control can help us to be proactive, responsive, and healthy. Whereas focusing energy on the outer circle of concern can make us reactive.

ramhp_nsw

06/06/2025

Due to staff shortages, we will be closing again at 4pm today. We will open again on Tuesday after the Public Holiday on Monday 🩺🩻