Practice Partners Podcast

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Nurses are one of the most underleveraged assets in general practice.
In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac unpack what optimal nurse utilisation actually looks like in the real world and why it directly impacts patient care, workflow efficiency, and profitability.
We cover:
 • What the ideal GP to nurse ratio looks like and why it varies by practice size and service mix
 • How to structure nurse appointment books for flow, not chaos
 • The difference between busy nurses and productive nurses
 • Reducing care plan time using IT tools, templates, and process design
 • Balancing clinical tasks versus administrative creep
 • How confidence, training, and scope clarity change everything
 • Building proactive and opportunistic care into everyday consults
We also speak honestly about:
 • Underutilised nurses and the silent cost to your practice
 • Doctor hesitation and its downstream effect on workflow
 • Bringing nurses into clinical meetings and decision making
 • Structuring handovers to maximise appointment time
If you are a practice owner, manager, GP, or nurse wanting to tighten operations and improve patient outcomes, this episode gives you practical, implementable insights.
Optimising your nursing team is not about adding more people.
It is about using the people you have, properly.
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We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

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Facility fees are one of the most misunderstood and debated topics in general practice. In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami Assigal and Zac Pandur unpack the legal, operational, and psychological realities behind charging facility fees, and why understanding them is critical for sustainable practice management.
We unpack:
What facility fees actually are and when they can be charged alongside Medicare rebates
How treatment room budgeting influences fee decisions
The psychology behind charging patients and why staff confidence matters
The compliance considerations every practice must understand
How clear patient communication protects trust and reputation
We also talk honestly about:
Why some teams hesitate to charge and how that impacts financial health
The risks of inconsistent messaging across reception, nurses, and doctors
The importance of structured billing processes to prevent revenue leakage
Educating staff so fees are explained with clarity and confidence
Adapting fee models to suit your practice environment and patient base
This episode is for practice owners, managers, and healthcare leaders who want to strengthen their billing systems, improve communication, and build financially sustainable clinics.
Facility fees are not just about revenue.
When implemented correctly, they support quality care, operational stability, and long term viability.
References: Medicare Explanatory Note GN 7.17
Support the show
We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!
In this episode of the Practice Partners podcast, Zac and Ami are joined by James Gillespie, CEO & Founder of Cleanbill.  
We discuss the evolution of healthcare data tracking and the significance of transparency in the industry. We explore the origins of Cleanbill, the importance of data in understanding bulk billing practices, and the future of healthcare analytics.
The conversation highlights the role of Cleanbill in providing comprehensive data to both patients and clinics, emphasising the need for accurate information in making informed healthcare decisions.
Cleanbill originated from a need for better healthcare data tracking.
The importance of transparency in healthcare billing practices is crucial.
Bulk billing rates are not always indicative of patient access.
Data collection methodologies have evolved significantly over the years.
The Cleanbill portal allows clinics to update their information easily.
Patients benefit from having access to comprehensive healthcare data.
Useful Links:
Cleanbill Portal - https://cleanbill.com.au
Cleanbill Clinic Portal - https://cleanbill.com.au/clinic-portal/login  
Support the show
We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!
Leadership avoidance is rarely loud.
It is quiet. Subtle. And often disguised as being “too busy”, “too nice”, or “waiting for the right time”.
In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami and Zac unpack the uncomfortable but common reality of leadership avoidance in general practice.
We explore:
What leadership avoidance actually looks like in day-to-day clinic operations
Why even experienced practice owners and leaders fall into avoidance patterns
How avoiding difficult conversations, decisions, and accountability quietly stalls growth
How leadership avoidance impacts team culture, performance, and retention
Along the way, we draw on real-world scenarios from inside clinics and, yes, have a bit of a rant about how leadership avoidance ultimately costs practices time, money, and peace of mind.
If you are a Practice Owner, Practice Manager, GP Lead, or Senior Team Member who knows something is being avoided but has not quite named it yet, this episode will hit close to home.
Leadership does not get easier when it is delayed.
It just gets more expensive.
Support the show
We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!
Leadership is not a title.
It is what happens between the phone ringing, the appointment book filling, the team asking questions, and the quiet decisions no one sees.
In this episode of the Practice Partners Podcast, Josie takes our listeners inside a real day in the life of an Admin Leader in general practice and we officially welcome Josie into her new role.
We unpack:
What the Admin Leader role actually looks like day to day
The balance between front desk leadership and operational accountability
How admin leaders influence flow, culture, and patient experience
The difference between being busy at reception and leading a team
Common challenges admin leaders face and how to manage them effectively
We also talk honestly about:
Stepping up into leadership from within the admin team
Setting expectations without losing approachability
Supporting the practice manager and clinical team
Why strong admin leadership is critical to a well-run clinic
This episode is for receptionists considering their next step, admin leaders finding their feet, and practice owners who want to better understand the role that keeps everything moving.
Admin leadership is not glamorous.
But when done well, it changes everything.
Welcome to the role, Josie.
Support the show
We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/