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.

Associate Professor Kwang Chien Yee

Associate Professor 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. Associate Professor Yee has a strong research and teaching background, having completed a PhD in clinical communication and patient safety. He is currently an associate professor in Medicine, gastroenterology, 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. He has more than 200 peer review publications and has received multiple teaching awards, including the prestigious Australian National University Teaching Excellent Citation in 2019.

Associate Professor Yee’s clinical research interest is in mucosal endoscopy. He is interested in cutting edge diagnostic endoscopic technology, such as near focus endoscopy. In 2022, he brought the first ultra-magnification endoscope into clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand, for gastric, oesophageal and colonic cancer prevention. He performs complex mucosal resection, using a combination of endoscopic mucosal resection, hybrid endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection and endoscopic full thickness resection.

Associate Professor Yee’s current research expertise is in the area of artificial intelligence, especially focusing on using artificial intelligence to improve gastric, oesophageal and colonic cancer prevention. Working together with collaborators nationally and internationally, including Harvard University, Alborg University and others, he hopes to improve quality of patient care through research, teaching and clinical practice.

Dr Sarah Edwards

Sarah is an experienced GP with a background in Nutrition and Dietetics. She graduated from Deakin University in 2005, following the completion of a combined degree in Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science. Sarah then went on to study postgraduate medicine at the Australian National University graduating in 2008.

Sarah has worked Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, as well as The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Alfred Hospital. During her work as a GP for over 10 years she has maintained a strong interest in Diet and Disease. Sarah is passionate about helping people modify their diets and lifestyles to help obtain the best quality of life.

At GastroHealth Hobart Dr Edwards will be assisting patients that require assistance with their dietary and nutritional health. Our referring GP's are invited to refer patients to Sarah that need assistance in these areas.

Lillian

GastroHealth Hobart is happy to have Lillian leading Dr Yee's 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.

Rachael

Rachael has been assisting Associate Professor Yee's patients with their procedure bookings and general queries since early 2021 and is a valued member of our administrative team.

She is responsible for making procedural arrangements for Associate Professor Yee's patients and works at our reception desk each Monday as the welcome face to his in rooms clinic.

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

Kerry

Kerry is a valued member of our GastroHealth Hobart 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 she has enjoyed building her knowledge and skills in endoscopy nursing and works with Associate Professor Yee within the Private Hospital system in Hobart.

At GastroHealth Hobart Andrea’s main areas of nursing care are within upper Gastroenterology follow up and liver disease management. Andrea also provides support to Associate Professor Yee's IBD patients and supervises our administrative team with the day to day running of our rooms.

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 concession rates to patients that hold a Federal Govt approved Concession Card. 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.