Kiama GPs Kiama Downs Medical Practice

22/10/2025

You made this possible 💚
With your private fees today, Kiama Downs has donated $5,000 to help families in Gaza with urgent food, water, medical care and shelter.
This support helps keep aid trucks rolling, hospitals supplied, and a new 100-bed field hospital caring for mums, kids and trauma patients.
Thank you for making a real difference. 🌍
If you want to help more please click the link below

You patients made this possible: today $5000 of your private fees have been donated Thanks to you all we’ve been able to donate $5,000 of your private fees to help families in Gaza access urgent medical care, food, clean water, and shelter today. A pause in fighting has opened a desperately needed...

27/09/2025

This week, one of our slightly over-enthusiastic team members decided it would be a great idea to run their first ever marathon — the very next day at Run Shellharbour.
No training, no plan, just questionable life choices.

But behind the silliness was a serious goal: raising funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation, which helps restore sight for people who would otherwise remain blind.
Every $50 donated can restore someone’s vision — and thanks to your incredible generosity, together we raised over $3,800 for Fred Hollows with Kiama Downs Medical Practice putting in half.

Kiama Downs Medical Practice matched every dollar donated ensuring that every contribution goes even further. A huge bonus, another donor also donated dollar for dollar on our donations in total raising over $7,400 to Fred Hollows – which could help restore vision to over 1000 people!!!!

Run stats:
5 hours 41 minutes 42.5 km 7.95 min/km
Not fast… but finished!

Why this matters to us
At Kiama Downs Medical Practice, we believe in eye health, accessibility, and doing good with a sense of humour.
Supporting Fred Hollows aligns with our core values — practical compassion, fairness in healthcare, and helping people see a brighter world.

If you missed the chance to donate, it’s not too late!
Donate to the Fred Hollows Foundation via GoFundMe

Every dollar is tax-deductible, 100 % goes straight to the Foundation, and KDMP will continue to match your donations

This week, one of our slightly over-enthusiastic team members decided it would be a great idea to run their first ever marathon — the very next day at Run Shellharbour.No training, no plan, just questionable life choices. But behind the silliness was a serious goal: raising funds for the Fred Holl...

26/09/2025

🚨💊 Paracetamol & autism? Let’s clear this up.
Recent claims linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism have no solid evidence. These headlines cause more panic than protection — and distract from safe, evidence-based care.

✅ The RACGP and major health bodies confirm paracetamol is safe when used as recommended in pregnancy.
⚠️ The bigger issue? Where we get our health info. Because let’s be honest:
🏛️ Politics → politicians
⚡ Wiring → electricians
👩‍⚕️ Health advice → health professionals (not influencers).

🎧 For a balanced, evidence-based discussion, listen free to ABC’s Health Report:

“Trump links paracetamol with autism. What’s the evidence?”

“Do you take health advice from influencers?”

On Spotify or the ABC Listen app:
🔗 https://open.spotify.com/show/19OQ8yRLItw7vOKz9OCslo

03/07/2025

🧾 Why seeing a GP at Kiama Downs Should only costs you $14 to $18 out of pocket – once you reach Medicare’s Safety Net 🩺💰

The Medicare Safety Net saves some patients in our community hundreds & even thousands of dollars every year. Add anyone who lives with you (partner, kids, friend, parent) to your Medicare family account to reach the threshold faster.
📞 Just call Medicare on 132 011 (24/7) to link together.

If you have a concession card and spend over $834 out of pocket in a calendar year on care that Medicare helps with, Medicare will then cover 80% of the “gap fee” for the rest of the year!
- this includes GP visits, or other people your GP refers you to like psychologists, physios, specialists, and for scans & tests),

$834 is an awful lot, but it is just two trips to a cardiologist, paediatrician, endocrinologist or gynaecologist for most people!

💡 Once you reach the threshold your GP visit at Kiama Downs usually only costs $14 to $18 out of pocket that year - for 15 minutes to 30 minutes of your GP's time.

If you don't have a concession card the amount to spend to reach this is much higher, but hundreds of families in our area still reach the amount every year due to psychology and other specialist visits.
Some people in our community have saved $2000 a year after we told them about registering whoever lives under their roof so you reach the Safety Net together!

Better still, every GP visit here counts towards your Safety Net.

👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️ The same rule applies to:
✔️ Private specialists
✔️ Psychologists if your GP has referred you for up to 10 visits a year
✔️ Physios, Audiologists, Occupational therapists, Speech therapists, and many more if your GP has referred you for up to 5 visits a year on your care plan.
✔️ Scans (MRI, ultrasound, x-rays)
✔️ Blood tests & pathology

🟢 The Safety Net protects all Australians from high out-of-pocket health costs - and it really works.

💬 Need help?
Click the link here to learn more! https://kiamadownsmedicalpractice.com.au/kiama-gp-appointments/ :~:text=The%20Extended%20Medicare%20Safety%20Net

27/06/2025

🎉 A huge welcome to patients from Jamberoo Surgery and to Dr Mel Cave, Dr Mais Ria & Dr Lynsey McKinstry are now consulting at Kiama Downs Medical Practice!

Dr Lynsey is taking appointments now, Dr Mais will be back in 3 weeks (late July) and Dr Mel will have a short break until late September.

Simply book an “Existing Patient” appointment online and choose your preferred GP – whether it’s Dr Mel, Dr Mais, Dr Lynsey or any of the friendly GPs in Kiama Downs.

Jamberoo Surgery sadly closed on 26 June 2025, but all patient records have been safely transferred – free of charge – so your care continues seamlessly.

🙌 Plus consultations are now more affordable for shorter concerns, with 15-minute appointments available.

📅 If you have seen Dr Mel, Dr Lynsey or Dr Mais before please make sure you book as an "existing patient" at via our website at kiamadownsmedicalpractice.com.au

17/06/2025

Massive thanks to everyone who came along to our charity event ‘Eat Dance Give’ on Sunday!
💛 Together, YOU raised $6,000 — and every dollar is making a real difference:
👁 80 people will see the world again thanks to Fred Hollows
🎗 5 life-changing fistula surgeries will restore health and dignity
📚 10 girls will be supported right through school with Educate Girls India
💥 What an incredible impact from one special afternoon of food, music, and generosity.
🙏 From all of us at Kiama Downs Medical Practice — thank you so much!

03/06/2025

Hey all! Would love to see you all this Sunday 8th June, from 4pm at Kiama Downs Surf Club for our fundraiser "Eat, Move, Give" with the band The Ninth Chapter flying and driving down from QLD/North NSW, the Gerringong Olive Pizza Truck, great Drinks & Real Impact with 100% of all ticket sales to super high impact charities!

Please jump on and/or forward this on to anyone you think would love the event! Very few tix left with 120 sold already!
🍕 Bring your mates and kids for epic Pizza from 4pm, music from 5pm.
🎟️ Tickets here:
https://events.humanitix.com/100-to-charity-kiama-downs-gp-event-band-pizza-and-drinks-4pm-sun-8th-june-kids-and-partners-welcome/tickets

✨ Why it matters
This inaugural event has only just got going but already has raised $4,700 in 100% - to - charity - ticket sales. This means:
👧 80 girls now getting an education instead of a lifetime of labour
👁️ 40 children and adults regaining their sight
💜 20 women receiving fistula surgery to reclaim their lives
🔥 Bonus: We’re also doing a signed by Peter Singer Book Auction
📚 10 hand-signed copies up for grabs of the book The Life You Can Save
🎤 2 at live auction (6–7pm)
📝 8 in silent auction — to participate 1. Donate here: https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org.au/cause-funds/maximize-your-impact-fund/
2. Then enter the draw for the silent auction here: https://forms.gle/VXPRhcfPZdYKBqNt8

💡 Missing out on Sunday?
Catch us the night before on Saturday 7th 7:30pm to 8:30pm at DISTILLED – The Co-Op Gerringong
🎟️ Tix and info here: https://thecoopgerringong.iwannaticket.com.au/event/distilled-MzI1NjU

Best wishes all!

100% to Charity - Live Band, pizza, drinks. Fred Hollows, Fistula Foundation & Educate Girls India - Hosted by Kiama Downs Medical Practice

07/01/2025

🌟 Meet our newest GPs: Dr Tollan Conway & Dr Nick Cooper! 🌟
👉 Dr Tollan: A South Coast local with experience in emergency & paediatric care at Gold Coast University Hospital, now back in Kiama with his young family.
👉 Dr Nick: A GP with a background in physiotherapy & medicine, plus a Diploma of Paediatrics, with expertise in paediatrics, sports injuries, & long-term care.
We’re thrilled to welcome them both to KDMP! 🩺
🔗 Dr Tollan's bookings can be made here: https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/kiama-downs-NSW-2533/kiama-downs-medical-practice/doctors/dr-tollan-conway-1
🔗 Dr Nick's bookings can be made here: https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/kiama-downs-NSW-2533/kiama-downs-medical-practice/doctors/dr-nick-cooper

20/12/2024

📣 Meet Dr Marcus Coelho, who has just started in Kiama Downs! Dr Marcus has an incredible story—he started in Brazil, where he helped establish an ICU in the Amazon before bringing his skills to Australia in 2016. He provides General practice and Urgent / Emergency care in our area and is passionate about providing holistic care to patients with complex needs.

His special interests include metabolic health, congestive heart failure, and ultrasonography—he’s even an instructor at the Australian College of Emergency Medicine!

We’re thrilled to have him staying on the South Coast with us 🌊

To book with Dr Marcus More about Dr Marcus please click the link below:
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/kiama-downs-NSW-2533/kiama-downs-medical-practice/doctors/dr-marcus-coelho

11/09/2024

📣 Don't miss your chance to catch it early!
Your health is priceless, and regular cervical screening is a crucial step in protecting it.
In Australia, the process is now easier and more comfortable than ever, thanks to the availability of self-collection kits.
✅ Most people find these kits simple to use, offering a more comfortable experience.
Just ask your GP about this option—it’s quick, effective, and could save your life.
Early detection is key, so don’t wait. Schedule your screening today and take this small step towards securing your future well-being. Your health is worth it.

The primary care team have a critical role in providing and encouraging cervical screening, especially with patients who are reluctant to participate.For mor...

22/08/2024

Train for Your Unique Body!

A free event with very limited numbers
When: 6pm, Thursday 5th September
Where: 31 Johnson Street, Kiama Downs, NSW 2533
Bookings here: https://train4youruniquebody.rsvpify.com/

Our bodies are wonderfully unique, and fitness programs should celebrate and cater to the different strengths and needs of women and girls.

This event dives into what truly matters for women in sports and physical fitness:

Cycle-Smart Training: Dr. Nicole Power will guide us through how our menstrual cycle influences training outcomes, performance, and injury risk.

Breast Health in Sports: Dr. Danielle Ward will discuss the importance of support and protection in high-impact and contact sports.

Fueling for Success: Dr. Fiona Manning will share insights on optimising nutrition for peak performance and recovery.

Come join us and connect with GPs who have a genuine passion and interest in fitness & health! This event is open to everyone.

If the event is full please email: info@kdmp.com.au and ask to go on the waiting list for our next event.

14/08/2024

An amazing story which shows that anyone, even a Aussie National Weather presenter, can at times struggle with panic attacks, even on air. ❗
We are very lucky to have people like Nate Byrne sharing with all of us, in this video, what mental health challenges can feel like, so that we can all work at our own mental health and at supporting those around us with challenges as well. 💕

ABC News Breakfast's Nate Byrne speaks with the BBC about how he handled the on-air moment.