Our Practice - Gastrohealth Hobart

Our Practice

Our Staff

Dr Ben McCulloch

Dr. McCulloch is a local man who grew up in Howrah. He attended the University of Tasmania graduating in 2003. Initial post-graduate training was completed at the Royal Hobart Hospital before entering physician training at The Alfred Hospital. Gastroenterology training was completed at various hospitals around Melbourne returning to Tasmania.

He has specialised interests in Bowel Cancer Screening, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Coeliac Disease.

Dr Kwang Chien Yee

Dr. Yee is originally from Malaysia. He came to Australia to study and he obtained his medical degree from the University of Tasmania. He did his post-graduate training both in Australia and overseas. Dr. Yee has a strong research and teaching background, having completed a PhD in clinical communication and patient safety. He works at the University of Tasmania, teaching medical students and conducting research in gastroenterology and technology in healthcare. He regularly delivers keynote speeches and presentations both nationally and internationally. Dr. Yee has more than 100 peer review publications and has received multiple teaching awards, the latest being the Australia National Teaching Excellent Citation in 2020.

Dr. Yee’s clinical interest is in mucosal endoscopy. He is interested in cutting edge diagnostic endoscopic technology, such as near focus endoscopy and endocytoscopy. He performs complex mucosal resection, using a combination of endoscopic mucosal resection, hybrid endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection and endoscopic full thickness resection. Before COVID, he regularly traveled interstate and overseas for further training. Nowadays, he attends virtual training but looks forward to being able to attend in person training again in the near future.

Natalie

Natalie has been a valued member of the Gastro Health Team since 2016 when originally employed as one of our Medical Receptionists. She has over 17 years experience in medical administration having worked in immunisation and medical education coordination in local government and private enterprise.

Natalie has recently taken on the role as Practice Manager for Gastro Health Hobart and is looking forward to supporting the team as we progress into a new and exciting future.

Lillian

GastroHealth Hobart is happy to have Lillian leading our administrative and reception team. Lillian brings a range of knowledge to our team after having experience in general practice, aged care and disability care. Lillian ensures our recall patients are contacted as their surveillance procedures are due. She is always keen to learn and develop her skills further within our specialised area of patient care.

Melinda

Melinda is a Registered Nurse with 20 years' nursing experience, which includes orthopaedics, theatre, anaesthetics and recovery room nursing.

Gastro Health Hobart are excited to have Melinda working in our practice as she had worked previously with Dr McCulloch and Dr Yee at the Endoscopy Unit at the Calvary Hospital.

Melinda is excited to be taking on the role of Practice Nurse at Gastro Health Hobart specialising in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Kerry

GastroHealth Hobart welcomes Kerry to our Nursing Team.

She is a Registered Nurse with nearly 30 years experience in a variety of fields, which include General Surgical, Pre-Admission Clinics, Community Nursing and Endoscopy.

Kerry has worked with Dr McCulloch and Dr Yee in an Endoscopy setting and loves making a positive different to the lives of others.

With a keen interested in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Kerry is looking forward to supporting and providing education to Dr McCulloch’s IBD patients Wednesday to Friday each week.

Andrea

Andrea is a Registered Nurse who found her passion for Endoscopy nursing when she returned to Tasmania in 2015.

Over the last 5 years Andrea has enjoyed building her knowledge and skills in endoscopy nursing and has worked with Dr Yee & McCulloch in a procedural setting.

As Gastro Health Hobart Andrea’s main areas of nursing care are within upper Gastroenterology follow up and liver disease management. Andrea looks forward to meeting our patients and assisting in this specialised areas.

Michelle

Michelle has been employed in medical administration and reception roles for the past 24 years.

She has extensive experience in private practice, particularly with assisting patients with chronic health issues.

Michelle is a compassionate, experienced member of Dr Yee’s bookings team and is in the practice Tuesday to Friday each week.

Gabriella

GastroHealth are pleased to have Gabriella continue to work at our practice while waiting for her studies to be re-established at U-TAS. After working as our receptionist for 6 months Gabby moved into the procedural bookings area of the practice and is our point of contact for Dr Yee's patient's. If you have received a referral to Dr Yee, Gabby will be the person contacting to make the procedure arrangements.

Gabby is in rooms on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday.

Rachael

Rachael joined the GastroHealth Hobart team in September last year and has been working in our reception area. She has previous administrative and customer service experience within the transport and pharmacy industries.

While still assisting in reception, Rachael also assists Dr McCulloch's bookings team with making arrangements with his patients for their Gastroscopies.

Rachael is at the practice on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Kelsie

Kelsie has been working with our reception and administration team since joining the practice in May last year. Kelsie previously has worked in a variety of administrative roles over the past 30 years which include local government, medical and hospitality.

She is enjoying her time at the practice and learning new administrative skills in our specialist practice.

Our Policies

Fees Policy

We are a Private billing practice and fees are payable at the end of the consultation.
Fees will vary depending the type of visit. We offer discounted fees for aged pensioners, health care card holders, and children under 16 years. Please note you must present your pension card to obtain this discount.

It is practice policy that all accounts are settled in full on the day of your consultation. Payments may be made by EFTPOS and credit card (Mastercard and Visa card cards accepted). Upon payment of your account, our receptionist will lodge your claim with Medicare. Ensuring you are covered by Medicare and you have your bank details registered with Medicare, your rebate will be forwarded directly into your nominated bank account within 48 hours.

Results Policy

Results are checked daily by our doctors and nurses. We recommend patients to book an appointment with their doctor at least 7 days after they have had their test. If you do not make a follow-up appointment, please be aware that there may be a wait to see your doctor. The practice nurse will contact you if your doctor wishes to see you sooner than your planned appointment.

If you misplace your X-Ray/Pathology request form, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide you with a replacement form in time (within 48 hours) and you may need to reschedule your appointment. Please note that our reception staff do not have access to your clinical information and so cannot give out results.

Scripts

For our ongoing commitment to your healthcare, we ask that you make an appointment with your Doctor if you require a repeat prescription. It is advisable to make this appointment as soon as you are aware you are due to complete your current medication. We do not offer repeat prescriptions request as you can visit or request this through your GP.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Our Practice will not discriminate against new or existing patients. All patients will not be refused access to medical care from a doctor on the basis of their sex, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference or medical condition. All doctors and staff expect to treat patients with respect, courtesy, politeness and understanding at all times. Dr Yee speaks various languages to support our patients.

Booking & Cancellation Policy

We understand unexpected circumstances may prevent you from attending your appointment. As we often have a waitlist, failure to notify our reception team within the following timeframes will incur a the following fees:

Rooms consultations - 4 hours minimum notice if you are unable to, or no longer need your scheduled appointment - cancellation fee of $50.00

Procedures – 72 hours minimum notice if you are unable to attend your scheduled procedure – cancellation fee $250.00

If cancelling due to COVID19 testing requirements a copy of your txt results or a medical certificate from your GP may be required. Payment is required before future appointments can be offered. These cancellation fees cannot be claimed through Medicare or Private Health Insurance.

Confidentiality

Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff and third parties. This means we require your verbal or written consent to discuss your medical records and appointments with family members. If your information is no longer needed after this time, it will be destroyed in a secure manner in accordance with the appropriate governing standards.

Referrals

As the patient you are responsible for obtaining and ensuring your referral is current with our practice. All GP referrals are current for a period of 12 months unless they are marked as "indefinite referrals". All specialist referrals are valid for a 3 month period only. If you have seen our Drs and your referral has expired we will be unable to process your Medicare claim, and you will be required to make full payment of any owed fees without a refund being payable from Medicare.