Newcastle Family Practice

06/10/2026

🎀 **October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month** 🎀

A little reminder to all the wonderful women in our community — **have you booked your breast screen?** 💗

BreastScreen NSW is offering **FREE breast screening for women aged 40+** at their Waratah clinic throughout October.

💕 It only takes around 20 minutes
💕 No doctor’s referral is needed
💕 It’s completely free for women aged 40+
💕 Early detection can make all the difference

📍 **NBN Telethon Mater Institute**
Corner Edith & Platt Streets, Waratah

📞 **Book on 13 20 50**
🌐 **breastscreen.nsw.gov.au**

And remember — **be a friend, tell a friend!** 💕

Tag or share this with your mum, sister, daughter, friend or colleague and encourage them to book their breast screen.

🎀 **20 minutes could make a very important difference.**

01/10/2026

❤️💙 GO THE KNIGHTS! ❤️💙

Even our newest team member at Newcastle Family Practice is dressed and ready for the GRAND FINAL! 🏉

The Knights are in the big one this Sunday and Newcastle is turning RED & BLUE!

From all of us at Newcastle Family Practice,
GOOD LUCK NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS!

❤️💙 BRING IT HOME! 💙❤️

02/09/2026

Important Medicare Information
To be eligible to claim a Medicare benefit for a telehealth appointment, Medicare generally requires you to have had an in-person appointment for yourself at the practice within the previous 12 months.

If you have not had your own in-person appointment at the practice within the last 12 months, you may need to book an in-clinic appointment before you are eligible to claim a Medicare benefit for a telehealth consultation.

Please note: Bringing a child, family member or another person to their appointment does not count as an in-person appointment for you.

If you are unsure when you last attended for your own appointment, please contact our reception team and we will be happy to assist.

23/07/2026

📢 Great news! Our books are open, and we are welcoming new and existing patients.

Appointments are now available with the doctors listed below. Whether you're due for a check-up, need a skin check, or have a general health concern, we're here to help.

📞 Call us on (02) 4929 4181
💻 Book online at www.newcastlefp.com.au

20/07/2026

💙 Important Fee Update

From 1 August 2026, our consultation fees will be changing.

This decision has not been made lightly and reflects the increasing costs of providing quality healthcare. We remain committed to delivering the highest standard of care to our patients.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly reception team.

19/07/2026

📣 Books Are Open at Newcastle Family Practice! 💙

We're pleased to let our community know that Dr Alex Colman, Dr Kenneth Lee, and Dr Lexi Delahunt Smoleniec are currently welcoming appointments.

Whether you're due for a routine check-up, need ongoing healthcare, or are looking to book a skin check, our experienced GPs are here to help.

📅 Now accepting bookings with:
• Dr Alex Colman – Tuesday, Wednesday & every 2nd Friday
• Dr Kenneth Lee – Wednesdays
• Dr Lexi Delahunt Smoleniec – Skin Checks Only – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & alternate Mondays

📞 Book your appointment today
☎️ (02) 4929 4181
💻 www.newcastlefp.com.au

We look forward to caring for you and your family. 💙

16/07/2026

📱 Manage your healthcare anytime, anywhere with AMS Connect!

Booking appointments has never been easier. With the FREE AMS Connect app, you can book and manage appointments, receive reminders, complete forms before your visit, request repeat prescriptions and referrals (where available), and stay up to date with important messages from Newcastle Family Practice.

Download AMS Connect today from the App Store or Google Play and take control of your healthcare from your smartphone.

📞 (02) 4929 4181
💻 www.newcastlefp.com.au

13/07/2026

☀️ Now Booking Skin Checks with Dr Lexi Delahunt Smoleniec ☀️

Your skin is your body's largest organ—don't forget to look after it!

Dr Lexi Delahunt Smoleniec has appointments available for comprehensive skin checks and has a special interest in Skin Cancer Medicine.

Whether you've noticed a new or changing spot, have a family history of skin cancer, or it's simply time for your routine skin check, now is the perfect time to book.

📅 Appointments available Tuesday, Wednesday (½ day) and Friday (or alternate Monday).

📞 Call us on (02) 4929 4181
💻 Book online at www.newcastlefp.com.au

Early detection saves lives. Book your skin check today. 💙

Newcastle Family Practice is a medical practice based in the centre of Newcastle since 1995. New patients welcome.

07/07/2026

28/06/2026

📢 Important News: Bulk-Billing is Going Digital! 📢

Starting 1 July 2026, the Australian Government is introducing a new, modern way to handle bulk-billing paperwork.

Here is what you need to know before your next visit:

📱 You can now go paperless: Instead of signing a physical form at reception, you can choose to receive a quick SMS link to approve your bulk-billing agreement digitally.
📝 Prefer paper? No worries at all! Physical forms are still available if you'd rather sign in person.
⏳ Pre-approve your visit: You can now sign the digital agreement before you see the doctor to save time.

🛑 CRUCIAL STEP FOR ALL PATIENTS: 🛑

Please remember that all patients must come to the reception desk before leaving the practice. We need to ensure your billing is fully finalized (whether digital or paper) before you head out!

We appreciate your patience as our clinic team adjusts to this new system next month!

💬 Got questions? Leave a comment below or give our reception team a call. For full details, visit the Australian Department of Health website.