Helping students access the health care they need
Brisbane State High School is pleased to be participating in the GPs in Schools Pilot.
The Pilot is part of the Queensland Government's Student Wellbeing Package. The initiative is designed to make it easier for adolescents in Queensland schools to access the healthcare they need.
The Pilot has allowed our school to set up a fit-for-purpose GP clinic on school grounds. This clinic provides students with access to a GP one day each week, during school terms.
What services does the GP provide?
Our school GP clinic offers our students the majority of services that young people are able to access from GPs in the community, including management of physical health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. The school GP clinic is not a vaccination centre.
Is there a cost for students to see the GP?
All visits to the GP are provided at no cost to students or their families. The GP bulk-bills all appointments through Medicare, so it is important that students bring their Medicare card (or their Medicare number) with them to their appointment.
Our school clinic staff
Our school's GP is Dr Aaron Chambers.
Dr Chambers has worked in General Practice since 2006. He is passionate about family practice, including paediatrics and obstetric care. After completing his medical degree with honours at the University of Queensland, Dr Chambers served as an RAAF Doctor, conducting humanitarian missions, and evacuating wounded servicemen from the Middle East.
Dr Chambers' passion for General Practice began in primary school, reading the medical textbooks of his older brother. He cherishes the bond formed between patient and doctor throughout life's experiences and enjoys the rewards of seeing families grow.
Dr Chambers is the GP Liaison Officer for Children's Health Queensland, based at Lady Cilento Children's Hospital. He also consults at Canossa Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation and at Allergy First. He assists with plastic surgery at Wesley Hospital and also enjoys working out in the community, completing home visits and caring for residents at Bethesda Caring Centre and Canossa Nursing Home.
Dr Geoffrey Bennett is a compassionate and dedicated expert in child and adolescent health. After earning a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Anatomy and completing his medical degree at the University of Queensland in 2001, he went on to complete residencies in Paediatrics, where his passion for this field flourished. Since 2009, Dr Bennett has been practicing on the Sunshine Coast, working closely with Paediatricians and Allied Health practitioners to support young patients.
Dr Bennett is committed to enhancing the well-being of his patients, fostering a safe and welcoming environment for them and their families. He is excited to focus on child and adolescent health at Brisbane State High School every second Wednesday and at Growlife Medical on other days.
Outside of his practice, Dr Bennett enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with his wife and two adult children, and he occasionally takes skiing holidays to recharge.
Ms Ayushi Agarwal is pleased join Brisbane State High School's clinic as our school counsellor.
Ms Agarwal's person-centred approach encompasses self-love, empowerment and growth in her clients. She has a special interest working with children, adolescents and young adults. She is honest, creative and creates a compassionate, non-judgemental, collaborative and authentic space for clients. As a multilingual individual, she is also able to provide therapy in English, Hindi and Telugu.
Ms Agarwal's background allows her to tailor her approach to meet the specific needs of each client, whether they are struggling with:
- Overwhelming stress
- Difficult life transitions
- Interpersonal conflict
- Academic stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief and loss