To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
The importance of primary health care, and GPs in particular, in the identification and treatment of problematic alcohol and drug use, is highly recognised. Screening, brief interventions, motivational interviewing on patient behaviours and appropriate referrals can help improve patient outcomes. Support is available for Gold Coast GPs to deliver practical recommendations and interventions for people concerned about their drug or alcohol use.
Screening tools and standardised measures are commonly used to assess clients who may be at risk of problematic alcohol or drug use. They can identify motivation, dependence, mental health status, quality of life and client risk.
Some may also assist clinicians to effectively monitor client progress over time (outcomes). Standardised measures should supplement an assessment process, not replace it.
These screening and assessment tools are commonly used:
The expertise of local GP Champions is available to assist general practices to increase their ability to improve care of patients with concerns about their alcohol and drug use. The champions can support general practices with local and specialised knowledge and identify quality improvement opportunities in relation to the identification, intervention and treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use.
Dr. Serge Macanovic
Dr. Serge Macanovic is a GP Lead at Our Medical Home Gold Coast. After completing his medical training at Cambridge University in England he graduated in 1995. Dr. Mac worked at a number of different hospitals in England. He decided to pursue a career in family medicine and after attaining a Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in London, he started practicing as a GP in 2000. He practiced as a GP Partner for 15 years in England. During this time, he completed a Diploma in Practical Dermatology, Diploma in Occupational Medicine and a Diploma in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders. For 10 years he worked as a Hospital Practitioner in Dermatology as well as a Lead Medical Adviser at two Alcohol and Narcotics Detoxification and Rehabilitation units in Portsmouth, UK. He provided acute detoxification as well as chronic medical management to residential patients. During this time, he produced a number of protocols and key management pathways in all aspects of addiction medicine. He has been practicing on the Gold Coast for the last 4 years. Dr Mac is happily married with children and on his days off enjoys travelling, reading, hiking and running.
Qualifications
Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan
Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan obtained her primary degree in Sri Lanka in 2003 and took up post graduate training in the field of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.
She accompanied her husband to Australia for his overseas postgraduate training in Orthopaedics in 2014.
She started her career as a General practitioner at Pimpama Medical Centre with the Amtan group in 2015.
She obtained her fellowship with RACGP and completed certificate courses in skin cancer medicine. She has completed mental health and AOD skills training with RACGP. She is a member of ASHM and MHPNW. Dr Thiruvaranga is a mother of two children, enjoys classical dance and plays Veena. She is fluent in Tamil and Sinhala languages.
Motivational Interviewing in Alcohol and Other Drugs Dr. Serge Macanovic |
Foundational Alcohol and Other Drugs – Screening and Brief Intervention Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan |
Alcohol Withdrawal Management Dr. Serge Macanovic |
Myths and Stereotypes in AOD use Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan |
A motivated client’s experience of cannabis use Dr Thiruvaranga Janani Thirumurugan |
HealthPathways contains the most up to date information on support for care of patients with alcohol and drug use concerns.
Don’t have a login for HealthPathways? Register here.
Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) aims to increase the availability and effectiveness of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment services through improved regional coordination and planning, (refer to the Joint Regional Plan for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services) targeted investment in areas of need, as identified in our 2021 AOD Needs Assessment, and enhanced sector efficiency with a focus on client outcomes.
Call 1800 290 928 for support and clinical advice.
The Alcohol and Drug Clinical Advisory Service (ADCAS) is a specialist telephone support service for health professionals in Queensland, providing clinical advice regarding the management of patients with alcohol and other drug concerns. This free service is available from 8.00am-11.00pm, 7 days a week.
This may include advice relating to:
Please note that this service is for health professionals only. Patients’ seeking information should be directed to the AOD resources for our local community for counselling, information and treatment services available.
The following short clips provide a brief overview of key AOD services on the Gold Coast. To refer to these services, you can find eligibility details and referral forms at GCPHN AOD Commissioned Services – Gold Coast Primary Health Network or HealthPathways.
QuIHN Community Outreach | QuIHN Hepatitis C Treatment | Goldbridge Rehab Services |
Kalwun | Lives Lived Well | Salvation Army Pathways |
So we can provide you with the most accurate information,
please tell us a little more about yourself