15/10/2024
Welcome to the first post for ASCEND GP Clinic! I'm Dr Carolyn Beaumont, the owner and lead GP. This specialized clinic tackles the areas that are often difficult for patients to access: practical smoking cessation options, preventive care for smokers (eg lung cancer screening), youth va**ng management, adult ADHD care, and pregnancy management choices (to 9 weeks).
My philosophy is this: to provide affordable, friendly and non-judgemental medical care that can be accessed in-person (Melbourne) or via telehealth nationally (for most services).
It's a cliche, but I love to help people live healthy and happy lives. I've always had a strong sense of social justice, and although Australia may be the 'lucky country' for some, it's simply not that easy for everyone. Seeing a GP is becoming so difficult and expensive, and it shouldn't be that way. And it's even harder when your needs are more complex, when you want options to replace smoking, or your life is falling apart because your adult ADHD is becoming overwhelming, or you're a teenager hooked on blackmarket vapes and want some help, or an unplanned pregnancy needs compassionate care ....
These are the areas that ASCEND GP Clinic addresses.
A bit about me:
I've been a GP for 5 years, after a late life complete career change to medicine. I used to be a piano teacher of all things! I have 2 teenagers, and my years as a teacher and pianist have unexpectedly merged with medicine to shape my 'new life' as a GP. Being a doctor is a privilege. I love to communicate and educate, and hone my creative skills by writing about medicine and creating engaging presentations. I've just started writing a book about the real-life stories of smokers and va**rs.
Finally, you may wonder why I chose a random image of leaves for my cover photo? Partly it's because I didn't have anything else to fit the Facebook dimensions ... but mostly it's because I am soothed by nature, and I hope that it gives you a little moment of peace also.