The Village GP Black Rock

07/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from The Village GP Black Rock!

Please check the image for our **practice holiday hours**. **Public holidays: closed.**

If you need medical attention while we’re away:
• For non‑urgent after‑hours care, call **13SICK (13 74 25)** or visit **Sandringham Emergency Department**.
• For emergencies, **dial 000**.

Wishing you and your families a safe, healthy, and happy festive season! ✨

05/10/2025

🌍✈️ Planning a trip to Bali, India, South America or beyond?
Make sure your health is ready for the adventure too!

👨‍⚕️ In this video, Dr Ben explains why a travel health check is a must before you go.

✨ Why it matters:
✔️ Protect against region-specific health risks
✔️ Get the right vaccines & medications
✔️ Learn food, water & insect safety tips
✔️ Be prepared for emergencies or managing chronic conditions overseas

💉 Our GPs can help with:
• Travel vaccinations (Hep A & B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever*)
• Malaria prevention & altitude sickness medication
• Personalised advice for your destination & health needs

🕐 When to book: 4–6 weeks before you travel (but last-minute travellers can still benefit).

👉 Book your travel health appointment today and travel well!

*Yellow Fever only available with accredited doctors (Dr Maureen & Dr Ben).

23/09/2025

🏉 We will be closed for the AFL Grand Final long weekend! 🏆
Our practice will be closed on Friday, 26th September and Saturday, 27th September.
If you need medical assistance during this time, here are your options:
📞 Call DoctorDoctor on 13 26 60
🏥 Visit your local Priority Primary Care Centre
🚑 Head to the Sandringham Emergency Department
🚨 For emergencies, please dial 000
We will reopen at 8am on Monday 29th September. Enjoy the game!

16/09/2025

Have you met Dr Paul Duffy? 👋
He’s the newest GP in The Village !

Dr Paul brings over 30 years of experience in medicine across the UK and Australia, with a career spanning psychiatry, hospital medicine, surgery, emergency care, and general practice. He’s known for his holistic and compassionate approach to patient care.

His special interests include mental health, ADHD and neurodivergence, chronic disease and pain management, paediatrics, adolescent health, men’s and women’s health, and medicinal cannabis prescribing.

As a father of three, including one with significant neurodivergence, Dr Paul combines professional expertise with lived experience, offering genuine empathy and understanding for families.

📅 Consulting Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

11/09/2025

📢 Reminder for our Year 12 VCE students 🎓✨
⏳ Equity schemes (SEAS) & scholarship applications close 10 Oct!
✅ Make sure you’ve booked your appointment with your regular GP well in advance.

📅 Don’t leave it to the last minute – get organised now! 💡✍️

15/08/2025

11/08/2025

🌟 Welcome Dr Paul Duffy to The Village GP! 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Dr Paul Duffy — a highly experienced and compassionate GP with over 30 years in medicine across the UK and Australia.

Dr Paul’s career journey spans psychiatry, hospital medicine, surgery, emergency care, and general practice — bringing a holistic, respectful, and thorough approach to every patient he sees. He’s also an Accredited GP Supervisor, mentoring the next generation of doctors.

With special interests in:
🧠 Mental health across all ages
🌱 ADHD & neurodivergence
💙 Chronic disease & pain management
👶 Paediatrics & adolescent health
🩺 Men’s & women’s health
💊 Medicinal cannabis prescribing (experienced provider)

As a father of three — including one with significant neurodivergence — Dr Paul combines professional expertise with lived experience, offering deep empathy and understanding for individuals and families alike.

Outside of work, he loves exercise, making music in his home studio, and spending time with family and friends.

📅 Availability: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
📍 Book your appointment online or call reception today!

19/06/2025

🥗 Small changes. Big difference.

Reducing your risk of bowel cancer can start with a few lifestyle changes:

✅ Eat more fibre – fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains
✅ Limit red and processed meats
✅ Be physically active
✅ Avoid smoking
✅ Drink alcohol in moderation
✅ Maintain a healthy weight

Good health starts with everyday choices — and your GP is here to help you make a plan that works for you.

17/06/2025

🤧 Feeling unwell with a cough, fever, sore throat, or runny nose?

We offer same-day Cold & Flu Consults in a dedicated external consultation room to keep everyone safe. New and existing patients welcome!

📲 Book via HotDoc (select Cold and Flu Consult) or call us on (03) 8202 3000.

🧾 Enter card details to confirm your booking
🚗 Check in via HotDoc app or call, then wait in your car
🧪 Swabs may be taken if needed
💳 Payment & Medicare claim handled for you

Your GP will call when it's time. We’ve got you this winter ❄️

16/06/2025

While early bowel cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms, some signs to talk to your GP about include:

- A persistent change in bowel habits
- Blood in your stool
- Abdominal pain or bloating
-Unexplained weight loss
-Feeling tired for no clear reason

💬 Not all symptoms mean cancer — but it's always worth checking with your GP.

Your body knows when something’s not quite right. Trust it. Talk to us.

14/06/2025

Today we recognise the lifesaving gift of voluntary blood donation.

Blood donations are essential to help:
✔️ Patients undergoing surgery
✔️ Cancer treatments
✔️ Emergency care and trauma
✔️ People with medical conditions like anaemia and blood disorders

💬 1 in 3 Australians will need blood in their lifetime, yet only 1 in 30 donates.

If you’re healthy and eligible, consider donating blood with Lifeblood Australia. It’s safe, quick, and saves lives.

🔗 Visit www.lifeblood.com.au to find your nearest donation centre and check eligibility.

Together, we can make a difference – one donation at a time.

11/06/2025

This week is all about encouraging men to prioritise their mental and physical health.

Regular health checks, like blood pressure monitoring, are simple steps that can make a big difference in preventing chronic conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

And don’t forget mental health – speaking up and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

✅ This June, take action:

Book a health check with your GP

Talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling

Stay active and eat well

Cut back on alcohol and quit smoking if needed

Your health matters — to you and to those who care about you.

📞 Book a check-up with your GP today.