Practice Partners Podcast

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In this episode, we unpack one of the most frustrating parts of modern general practice: MBS rejections - especially the 965 and 967... oh GPCCMP.

Clinics are delivering the service. Nurses are doing the work. The patients benefit.
And yet… the rejections keep rolling in.

And here’s the kicker; There are no magic fixes. No simple button to press. No overnight solution.

So what should happen?

We dive into:
• Why 965 and 967 rejections occur (and why they’re so costly)
• The operational and financial impact on clinics
• Why leaders and PM's must come prepared with a plan - not panic
• The importance of forethought, strategy, and understanding business risk
• How to proactively navigate Medicare changes instead of reacting to them
• A mindset shift: If we’ve delivered a service, we deserve to seek payment for that service.

This episode is a call-out and a call-up; If you’re a PM, owner, nurse lead, or operational leader - it’s time to stop being blindsided and start thinking like a business.

P.s. we apologise in advance about the rant. We hope that this episode help's push you in the right direction to avoid rejections at all costs!

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We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

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In this episode, we dive into one of the most common — and most destructive — challenges in business and healthcare leadership: ego.

Whether you’re an owner, manager, team leader or emerging leader, ego can quietly creep into decisions, conversations, and culture… often without us noticing. And when it does, it derails trust, blocks growth, and creates an undercurrent that everyone feels but no one says out loud.

We unpack:
 • Why ego shows up in owners and leaders (even the well-intentioned ones)
 • How ego damages team culture, communication, and psychological safety
 • Real examples from the field (yes… we’ve all been there)
 • Practical tools to lead with clarity, humility, and self-awareness
 • How to build a culture where leadership isn’t about power — it’s about people

If you’re ready to lead stronger, communicate better, and build a team that actually wants to follow you, this episode is your reset.

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

In this episode, Ami continues the conversation with Jeff Hawkes from Your IT Desk, diving deeper into the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight and what it means for general practice and healthcare businesses.

In this follow-up episode, the focus shifts to the next set of Essential Eight controls, unpacking how they apply in real-world practice operations, where clinics commonly fall short, and what leaders should be prioritising to strengthen IT compliance and cyber resilience.

This episode covers:

• Additional Essential Eight controls explained in plain English
• Practical IT and cyber risks facing general practice
• Why IT governance is a leadership responsibility — not just an IT issue
• Password Management - LastPass (#1 Password Manager & Vault App with Single-Sign On & MFA Solutions - LastPass)

A valuable listen for practice owners, managers, and operational leaders who want to better understand cyber risk, compliance, and how to protect their practice in an increasingly digital healthcare environment.

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

In this episode, Ami Assigal is joined by Jeff Hawkes to unpack the realities of IT compliance and cyber risk in general practice.

With technology playing a critical role in healthcare, this episode focuses on three components of the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight, explaining what they mean in practice and why they matter for compliance, business continuity, and patient trust.

Ami and Jeff discuss:

• Why IT governance can’t be “set and forget” in general practice
• Common cyber and IT blind spots in healthcare businesses
• Practical considerations for practice owners and managers

As promised, further information about Cyber Security and Insurance can be found at https://www.dataprivacyinsurance.com.au/our-team/ 

Ami and the Practice Partners team recommend the expertise of Meena Wahi, Digital Insurance Specialist at Cyber Data Risk Managers (Data Privacy Insurance Australia), who works with healthcare practices to understand cyber exposure, data privacy risk, and insurance-based protection.

A must-listen for practice owners and managers looking to strengthen their IT and cyber foundations.

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

Delegation is supposed to create capacity… but sometimes it does the exact opposite.

In this episode, Ami & Zac unpack the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways leaders accidentally dump-truck tasks onto their team - overwhelming the system, stretching capacity, and damaging culture without even realising it.

We explore:
 • The difference between true delegation and task 'dump trucking'
 • Why busy leaders fall into the dump-truck trap
 • How overload shows up in team behaviour, performance, and morale
 • Practical strategies to delegate with clarity, accountability, and intention
 • How to protect your practice from silent burnout and workflow bottlenecks

If you’ve ever said “Can someone just take this?”… this episode will hit home.

Tune in, reset your delegation habits, and help your team thrive. 

Song credits to Parry Gripp (Dump Truck)

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

💬 A little recognition goes a long way! 

For Episode 60 of the Practice Partners Podcast, Ami & Zac dive into a close debate about the power of praise & recognition — how acknowledging & celebrating your team’s efforts can either decrease or boost morale, motivation, and workplace culture. 

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

🌟 We’re back with Episode #59 of the Practice Partners Podcast — diving into the topic of seasoned staff promotion and what it really means for your practice.

In this episode, Ami and Zac explore how to recognise long-term team members, when and how to promote from within, and the impact it has on staff culture, retention, and patient care.

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

In Episode #58, Ami and Zac dive into a real-life question on managing up — navigating tricky dynamics between practice managers and owners.

They share practical tips on communication, setting boundaries, and influencing leadership with confidence and professionalism.

A must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen relationships and teamwork within their practice.

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

👩‍⚕️ Episode #57 of the Practice Partners Podcast is here — and we’re diving into how to prepare for a new GP joining your clinic.

From onboarding checklists and compliance essentials to setting expectations and creating a smooth first week, Ami and Zac share their tried-and-tested approach to setting new doctors (and your team) up for success.

For more information on GP Recruitment, see Episodes #50 & #51 for the Guest Episodes Part 1 & 2 with Darren Compton from DXC Medical Recruitment

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/

Send us your enquiry or question directly!

Part 2 of our chat with Chris Smeed, the CEO & Founder of Cubiko is here — and it’s packed with game-changing insights! 🚀

In this episode, we dive deeper into how practice leaders can harness data to improve efficiency, boost profitability, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

If you’re looking to elevate your practice operations, this two-part series is a must-listen!

Cubiko Website: https://www.cubiko.com.au/

Cubiko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubiko/

Chris Smeed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissmeed/

Support the show

We would love for you to share your thoughts, questions, and stories to: [email protected]

Find any resources discussed in this podcast, and all of our other resources at https://www.practicepartners.com.au/resources/