River Heads Family Practice

18/12/2025

Hi everyone,
Please note that our surgery will be closed for one week over Christmas and New Year. We will reopen on 2 January 2026. Please ensure you have your prescriptions filled before the Christmas break.
If you need any last‑minute blood tests, 4Cyte Pathology will be open on 24 December from 8 am to 12 noon.
For urgent appointments, please visit the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. In an emergency, please call 000 or go directly to the Emergency Department.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

14/12/2025

Calling Dr. Google!

It’s tempting to type your symptoms into a search bar, but while the internet can offer quick answers for some , it can also cause confusion and unnecessary worry. With smartphones in our pockets, health information is only a few clicks away. In fact, studies show that nearly 80% of adults search online for health advice—whether for diet tips, exercise routines, or concerns about acute or chronic conditions. Middle-aged adults are the most frequent searchers, but anyone who struggles to access healthcare services may turn to the web for guidance.

At River Heads Family Practice, we take a different approach. Our doctors don’t rely on or search Google. Instead, we invest in trusted, evidence-based resources—such as RACGP journals, Australian guidelines, and international medical updates—to ensure our care is accurate, current, and tailored to you. Besides, we enrol in many courses and conferences . Medicine is constantly evolving, and we stay at the forefront by scrutinizing new research and applying it responsibly.

With our specialist qualifications, ongoing training, and access to the latest medical knowledge, we can diagnose and manage even complex cases with confidence. Our commitment is to seeking updated Medical knowledge ,honesty, expertise, and clear communication—so you can feel secure knowing your health is guided by science, not search engines.

If you have concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to provide the most accurate and up-to-date care available.

10/12/2025

Is running bad for your knees? A good read.

Running doesn't damage healthy knees, it strengthens them. Evidence shows recreational runners have lower knee arthritis risk vs non-runners.

08/12/2025

The moment we have all been waiting for!! 4Cyte Pathology River Heads is opening its doors for the first time tomorrow. Please see the opening hours in the picture below.

They accept all referrals, and visits are bulk billed.

05/12/2025

Looks like we're all in the dark, literally! Told you we'd be with you every step of the way, blackouts and all. 🤭

We will need to wait till the power is back before we could see your names on our screens, talk about a real blackout special!

03/12/2025

- URGENT NOTICE -
Hi everyone. We regret to inform you that the surgery will be closed today due to Dr Youssef being unwell. We will contact everyone with scheduled appointments for tomorrow.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for the inconvenience caused.

02/12/2025

Almost there!

27/11/2025

Good News for provisional ADHD patients !

The Queensland Government has announced major reforms to ADHD care that will come into effect from 1 December.

From that date, specialist GPs will be able to initiate, adjust and continue prescriptions for ADHD medications for adults. Queensland GPs have been safely prescribing stimulants for children aged 4–17 years since 2017, and this change extends that authorization to adults.

Based on these news we at River Heads Family Practice will start accepting adult patients suspected of ADHD for assessment and management from 15/12/2025. Besides, We will start assessing and managing children suspected of ADHD from 2/1/2026 . Dr Youssef a specialist GP will accept new patients for assessment .

17/11/2025

🎉 On November 16th, 2023 — two years ago — River Heads Family Practice proudly opened its doors, with Mayor George Seymour joining us for the occasion.

🙏 We wouldn’t be here without the incredible trust and support of our wonderful clients. Thank you all — we’re truly grateful!

🍽 To mark this special milestone, we’ve set out some finger foods in the waiting area. Whether you’re here for an appointment or just passing by during lunch, feel free to stop in and help us celebrate. It’s a small gesture, but one we hope brings a smile as we share this moment with you.

N.B. Special thanks to Brookie's Cookies Hervey Bay for the celebration bikkies.

09/11/2025

🌟 Excellence in Care at River Heads Family Practice
We were recently honoured to receive a heartfelt letter from the hospital commending our exceptional care of a patient — a moment that reaffirms our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence.

At River Heads Family Practice, we believe that excellence in medicine begins with access to reliable, up-to-date resources. In a field that evolves rapidly, staying current isn’t optional — it’s essential.

🩺 Trusted Tools for Trusted Care
Most doctors striving for clinical excellence — whether consultants, hospital physicians, or GPs — rely on UpToDate, a globally respected platform offering the latest medical evidence and best practices. While hospitals across Australia provide this resource free of charge, we personally invest in it to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care.

📚 Guided by National Standards
We also follow Australian clinical guidelines and the resources of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, ensuring our practice remains aligned with the latest medical technologies and treatment protocols.

📖 From Textbooks to Technology
While textbooks once lined our shelves in the 70s and 80s, today’s knowledge lives online — and we embrace it fully. Whether in River Heads, Canberra, Sydney, or Brisbane, we uphold consultant-level standards of care. We do not settle for less.

🎓 A Hub for Medical Excellence
As a training facility, we mentor our doctors to meet and exceed these high standards. With advanced specialist qualifications from Australia and postgraduate exams passed overseas, our team continues to pursue excellence. Diagnosing and managing complex cases is not a coincidence — it’s the result of dedication, expertise, updated medical knowledge and an unwavering commitment to care.

💙 Accessible, Exceptional Care
Being a fully bulk billing practice does not mean our standard of care will change. We remain steadfast in our mission:
To always strive for excellence in care.

09/11/2025

What’s New? 🤩
We’re excited to share that River Heads Family Practice now subscribes to UpToDate — a globally respected medical resource trusted by specialists and physicians around the world. This platform provides the latest evidence-based information and clinical best practices.

So if you notice our doctors referring to their computers during your visit, rest assured — they’re not using Google. They are consulting UpToDate to validate their approach and ensure you receive the most current and effective care possible.

27/10/2025

**UPDATE @10.55 am**
Our phone and internet is back! Keep your calls coming!
------------
Good morning all. Due to extreme weather event last night, our internet and phone line is down yet again. If you need to contact us, please call our after hours number at 04 9393 1053.

Thank you!